As small police departments in rural Maine disappear, one town is hanging on

For two hours, Ashland Police Chief Michael Monpetit will loop up and down the few dozen roads that make up Ashland — which, at more than 80 square miles, is Maine's second-largest town by land area. He’ll drive down Main Street, past the bank and the auto parts store, and onto scenic Route 11 toward Masardis. He's one of the last officers that provides service for the rural northern Maine town.