UPDATED: Rescue items collected as police look on

Jason Cole, to the right of EMS1, can be seen loading what looks like a computer or some other type of electronic equipment into the vehicle. (Harrison Thorp photos)

LEBANON - Maine State Police on New Year’s Day oversaw the return of all Lebanon Rescue Department equipment previously kept at the home of former department chief Samantha Cole and her husband, former assistant chief Jason Cole after selectmen say they were frustrated with previous requests for their return that fell on deaf ears.

The equipment included EMS-1 (Ford Explorer command vehicle) and a plethora of electronic equipment, including 2 Samsung Galaxy S4 smart phones, two LG Expressions, Toughbook notebook computers, two Apple I-Pads and a Neat Desk Scanner.

Also included in a list of items to be returned was paperwork regarding patient care and billing, lists of subscribers to the Ambulance Subscription program and fuel cards.

Maine State Police meet with new Lebanon Rescue Department Chief Ray Parent and Selectman Ben Thompson before heading over to the Coles' Depot Road residence on New Year's Day.

The former chief, Samantha Cole, had assured selectmen back on Dec. 12 everything would be returned on or before Dec. 30 and signed an agreement to that effect, however, never followed through on those promises, selectmen said.

Wednesday’s remarkable chain of events began with Maine State Police, Selectman Ben Thompson and new Rescue Chief Ray Parent meeting in the Lebanon Post Office parking lot just before 8 a.m.

Initially it was thought that Police, Parent and Thompson would drive en masse and unannounced to the Depot Road residence where the Coles reside, but a decision was made to let police go first.

Soon after Parent was called and joined police to check off the items that were to be turned over.

At one point The Lebanon Voice viewed Jason Cole loading what looked like a computer into the EMS1 vehicle around 9:30 a.m.

Thompson said a little after 10 a.m. on Wednesday it was all over and that all the items on the list were said to have been recovered, but today noted ambulance subscriptions lists were still missing. He said residents who bought subscriptions will have to send photocopies of checks to the Town Offices to ensure proper billing by the town.

He also added that while many items on the list were turned in, that did not mean that more equipment and other items might not be sought in the days and weeks to come if it is found the Coles are in possession of additional town-owned property.

The Coles both resigned their positions with Lebanon Rescue in December. Jason Cole also resigned from his selectman’s seat. The resignations all became effective at the end of the year.

The Coles left their Rescue Department positions as the department came under closer scrutiny over its owing the town some $200,000 when it was supposed to be a self-funded entity as understood and voted on by town residents.