SKOWHEGAN — The Select Board this week addressed major issues stemming from a U.S. Border Patrol raid on a bus carrying farmworkers to Backyard Farms and from life safety code violations at a homeless shelter.
“There’s so much going on in the town right now. I just want to acknowledge that that can feel overwhelming for townspeople and our staff,” Select Board member Amber Lambke said. “My heart goes out to those who are currently traumatized by violence and all the families who are suffering loss.”
Police Chief David Bucknam addressed the U.S. Border Patrol operation that took place early Feb. 10, saying everyone is safe; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, was not involved; and those working for the Border Patrol were “meticulous” and “very professional.”
“I was very impressed with their operation today,” Bucknam said. “Whether I agree with it or not is not for me to decide, but everybody was safe, and that’s all I cared about — our citizens.”
According to a written statement from the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition and other groups, witnesses reported agents arresting between 17 and 19 workers who were on a bus headed to Backyard Farms in Madison at about 5 a.m. Feb. 10.
In other matters, Select Board members questioned whether a local church building was suitable as a shelter.
Shelters By Jesus, a church‑run homeless shelter, was cited for dozens of fire and building code violations in January.
During public comment, Randy Gray, who retired in 2019 after almost 40 years as the town’s code enforcement officer, spoke in favor of closing the building as a shelter, citing the risk of a fire that could lead to loss of life.
“It’s not made to house people,” Gray said. “It’s just not safe.”
Trinity Evangelical Free Church, which operates the shelter at 12 McClellan St., must install sprinklers, alarms, fire‑safe doors and make other upgrades by Feb. 17 or risk fines and closure, according to Skowhegan Code Enforcement Officer Aaron Crocker’s formal letters of violation.
“While there may be other issues, the town is focused on life safety code violations,” Town Manager Nicholas Nadeau said at the beginning of the meeting.
He also urged residents to be mindful of comments, apparently referring to social media activity around the subject.
“I do want to remind folks, regardless of your opinions on this vulnerable population, it’s important to remember that we’re all humans and we all deserve chances in life,” he said.
The Skowhegan Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to consider the violations involving Shelters By Jesus at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Municipal Building.
On another matter, the Select Board approved spending $16,000 for a turnaround parcel at 153 Red Bridge Road to accommodate the eventual removal of the Red Bridge.
The board also authorized Solid Waste Supervisor Cynthia Kirk to spend $38,974 for a new forklift and clamp from Maine Material for the transfer station.
The current forklift is a 2012 Hyundai that has been “run a lot” and needs significant upgrades, possibly including a new engine.
Kirk said the forklift is a “vital piece of equipment” that is “used to do pretty much everything around the recycling building.”
Because the new forklift is a “pre‑tariff machine,” it “saved a lot of money,” Kirk told the board.
The Select Board’s next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Municipal Building.
