Wiscasset Police Chief Troy Cline was at Wiscasset High School for law enforcement 10 times in 2013.

This year’s count has already surpassed that, with 13 instances since January.

“It’s extremely important we get an officer in this school,” Cline said on May 8.

He was speaking to Wiscasset selectmen and the budget committee about his request for a school resource officer, as his department and the high school continue to address a rise in student substance abuse.

Cline told the panels he understands that Wiscasset is in a fiscal crunch as it embarks on a school department; but a uniformed officer walking the halls, talking with students, can both respond to problems and deter them, he said.

“The more we as a police department reach out to our youth, we’re going to be stemming the tide of some of these substance abuse issues that we’re dealing with.

“I feel very strongly about this,” Cline said.

Selectmen recently decided they will take Cline’s request to voters at the May 31 town meeting. The proposed position continued to get a mixed reception at the May 8 workshop.

The budget committee did not support funding it, Chairman Bob Blagden said. Selectman Jeff Slack said he agreed with the budget committee, but that he was outvoted among the board. Members of both panels had more questions for Cline.

He said he didn’t think he should go through the school department for funding this year, but he would explore it in the future; and he is in talks with Interim Superintendent of Schools Wayne Dorr over the uniform the officer would wear, Cline said in response to questions during the workshop.

The officer would spend time in all three schools; could be called away to a major accident or other emergency in town; and would do patrol work in the summer, saving the department money on part-time pay, officials have said.

With those savings factored in, adding the job will cost an estimated $36,000 to $39,000, Interim Town Manager Don Gerrish has said.