EAST MILLINOCKET  — Townspeople in East Millinocket are pleading with the selectmen to save the jobs of a local police officer and firefighter whose jobs are on the line because of a loss of tax dollars from a closed paper mill.

But the selectmen says the only way to balance the town budget without raising taxes is to lay off Officer Cameron McDunnah and firefighter John Miner.

The town is set to lose $810,000 in tax revenue because of the April 1 closure of the East Millinocket mill.

Selectman Larry MacKenzie says raising taxes to fill the loss of revenue from the mill could cost $200 per household.

The Bangor Daily News says the final decision on the cuts will be made by townspeople next month at town meeting.