Stonington drops contract with sheriff’s office in narrow town vote

Stonington drops contract with sheriff’s office in narrow town vote

By a 2-vote margin, Stonington residents voted Monday to immediately end their long-running contract for a dedicated police presence from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. The department had requested $89,000 from the town to cover three eight-hour shifts each week. Residents voted 27-25 not to fund it at their annual town meeting after discussion that included concerns about the cost. The department will still respond to 911 calls, Sheri…