Weathersfield — For almost 15 years, untreated sex offender Thomas Pellerin has lived in prison, but as of today he may be living in Weathersfield.

Police Chief Dick Brown said he knew Pellerin might move into town, since the 56-year-old felon has family in the area. But it wasn’t until yesterday morning, when Brown was contacted by the Vermont Criminal Information Center, part of the Department of Public Safety, that the possibility seemed very likely.

"I’m still not 100 percent sure," said Brown. "I’ll believe it when I see it."

Pellerin was convicted in 1992 of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl who worked with him at a video store in Bellows Falls, Vt. The crime took place in 1989. He also was convicted in Vermont of attempted statutory rape in 1973 and again in 1977. In 1990, again in Vermont, he was convicted of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor, and in New Hampshire in 1973, he was convicted of assault with intent to rape.

Because Pellerin completed his sentence, once he is released he is no longer under the supervision of the Department of Corrections. His only obligation will be to inform the Vermont Sex Offender Registry of his address. Sex offenders must register within three days of leaving prison.

Rep. Ernest Shand, D-Windsor, said that many residents have known that Pellerin might become a neighbor and have been discussing the matter. "Some of the mothers have talked to me and said, 'I just want to see his picture, so I can show it to my kids,’ " said Shand.

The registry Web site includes photographs and the offender’s town of residence, but not a street address.

Because of his previous sex offense convictions and the fact that he chose to serve his maximum sentence rather than participate in an in-prison treatment program, Pellerin had made Gov. Jim Douglas’ list of 10 inmates who might have been eligible for civil commitment had that measure been approved by the legislature. Civil commitment would allow the state to keep particularly dangerous offenders in custody after their jail terms expired.

Brown met with the school board on Monday to discuss strategies should Pellerin take up residence in the town of fewer than 3,000 people. School board Chairman Jeff Locke said the board wants parents and students to be informed about Pellerin’s presence.

"It’s a concern. It’s a big concern," said Locke.

Yesterday, Mario Bevacqua, principal of the middle school and district superintendent, visited each class in the middle school — grades four through eight — and told students that it seemed likely that Pellerin would move to town. He talked with students about what this meant and how to keep safe.

Bevacqua said he was direct with the older children about Pellerin’s past, but told the younger children that the offender had "hurt" a teenager.

The school’s doors already are locked throughout the day, but other routines may be changing. Children were told yesterday that when they walk to the library, about 200 yards from the school on Route 5, they should always go in pairs. The principal said that he may consider having students walked to the street by teachers or administrators, so they can watch where they go.

He said he wanted to inform, but not frighten, students. "I kept saying, 'I’m not going over this to scare you. I just felt I needed to tell you,’ " said Bevacqua. "I encouraged them to go and talk to their parents."

Letters were sent home to parents, informing them of Pellerin’s possible arrival. Bevacqua said a few asked questions after school, but did not seem alarmed.

"We’re doing everything we legally can do," said selectboard member Daniel Boyer. "Legally there is very little we can do."

Boyer said there will likely be a public forum to discuss the matter, although a date has not been set.

Brown said he was not concerned about vigilantism, a problem in other communities. Last year, when Sean Duffey, an untreated sex offender, moved into Grafton, Vt., some residents told his parole officer and other corrections officials that they would not tolerate his presence and threatened to take the law into their own hands. Community members reported Duffey for violations of his parole within weeks of his release and the Vermont Parole Board decided, out of fear for Duffey’s safety, that he could not return to Grafton.

Duffey did not show up for the final parole violation hearing. Instead he returned to prison, choosing to "max out" his sentence, which ends in the summer of 2008. Like Pellerin, when Duffey is released he will have only the obligation to register as a sex offender.

"They trust the town will take care of it," said Brown of Weathersfield residents. "And I think that’s what will happen." Brown said he did not know exactly where Pellerin might take up residence, but believed he knew where it would most likely be.