Lincoln County commissioners made three decisions Oct. 20 relating to issues in the Boothbay peninsula. Commissioners accepted a $1,322.14 asset forfeiture resulting from a Boothbay commercial burglary. Chief Deputy Rand Maker reported once the court transferred the funds, restitution would be made to the victim.

Commissioners approved a $36,472.85 payment authorization to the Community Resource Council. County Administrator Carrie Kipfer reported the annual payment is based on the per capita number of residents in the CRC’s coverage area.

Commissioners approved a $3,540 payment to Mine Oyster for a Nov. 9 workshop at Bigelow Laboratories in East Boothbay. Emily Rabbe is Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission’s executive director. She told commissioners the planning commission is hosting a regional erosion shoreline stabilization workshop with the Maine Coastal Program. “The state provided us $7,000 for the workshop and wanted to provide a meal. So the $3,540 would come out of that,” she said.

Commissioners accepted a Maine Department of Transportation grant on behalf of the Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation Eastside Park. The county will act as fiscal agent or “pass-through” because MaineDOT can only send grants to a public organization, not a private one.

In other action, commissioners authorized the LCRPC to seek a request for proposals regarding an economic development study. Alex Zipparo is the commission’s economic and community development director. He said the study would examine land use, businesses and housing and analyze current conditions. The selected firm will provide a report due by Dec. 21, 2027.

The commissioners approved two hiring recommendations. Bekar Farmer was hired as the new county floodplain manager. She currently works at the state Department of Enivironmental Protection approving permits. Her first day is Nov. 2.

Laurie Kragh was hired to work in the Lincoln County Alternative Sentencing Program. Kragh is from Jackson and works with the Waldo County ASP.

Commissioners also approved two resignations. Special Services Deputy Ryan Chubbuck resigned on Oct. 7. Curtis Brown resigned as a reserve land use and transportation planner.

Commissioners are receiving updates about maintenance needs at county buildings. The communications center elevator has been out-of-order for two weeks. Pine State Elevator Co. of Portand inspected the unit and discovered the control panel wasn't working. 

If that wasn't bad enough news, the company reported due to the elevator's age, repair parts aren't available. Kipfer said Pine Tree's modernizing estimate is $110,600, but that wouldn't cover all the expenses. She added electrician, state inspections and elevator alarm company’s costs would add to the total. Commissioners approved using capital reserve funds for the repairs.

Kipfer said the courthouse’s heating ventilation and air conditioning system needed repairs to replace two ear flanges at a combined $5,117 cost. Commissioners approved the payment. 

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 in the courthouse.