Lincoln County commissioners approved six local grants April 21. The grants are awarded through Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission and are called ASK grants (assistance with specific know-how). Executive Director Emily Rabbe explained grant details for each recipient.

Alna received a $5,000 grant for a beaver baffle project. Alna will use the grant for engineering and installment. Rabbe explained the funds paid for installing a culvert which provided protection to the wetlands ecosystem.

Damariscotta is receiving $4,000 for the creation and implementation of a town Geographic Information Software platform.

Whitefield is receiving $3,500 to engage in professional services to assess the needs of King Mills Union Association. The building requires assistance in making it compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)  and the fire marshal.

Nobleboro is receiving $5,000 for a drainage survey and engineering study resulting in a moisture mitigation design and plan for Nobleboro Central School.

Westport Island is receiving $3,500 to engage a historic preservation architect to evaluate and develop drawings and specifications for its town hall.

Southport is receiving $3,000 for updating emergency notification of a district map, storm preparedness, and community notification.

In other action, commissioners authorized payment for an ARPA grant (American Rescue Plan Act) for Waldoboro's affordable housing plan. The grant is $68,508 for payment to Central Maine Power for installing a three-phase power extension project.

Commissioners approved LCRPC's 2026 Strategic Plan. Rabbe said the commission's board of directors approved the report April 15. "Ten months' worth of work updating the 2021-26  plan," Rabbe said. "The plan covers transportation, broadband, economic and community development, environmental sustainability and intergenerational community building. It builds on the momentum of the past five years."

Chief Deputy Rand Maker gave the sheriff's department report. He received commissioners' approval to enter into an agreement with Wavus to host the May 1-7 alternate sentencing program. Maker reported Wavus agreed to a $2,200 fee for the weeklong program. "It's a nice agreement;"$2,200 is a reduced price, he said. Maker said the alternative program will host between 40 and 50 people.

Commissioners approved purchasing three Motorola Solution in-car cameras and one body camera along with a five-year subscription fee. Rand reported the first-year payment is $9,600, and the total five-year cost is $31,074.

County Administrator Carrie Kipfer received commissioners' authorization for $5,263 to repair a recycling roll-off truck. Kipfer told commissioners the 2018 Kenworth had over 300,000 miles and recently experienced several mechanical failures. The most recent repair was for a diesel particulate filter. The item is an exhaust treatment device which captures soot and other fine particles before they reach the atmosphere.

She also received commissioners' approval for paying $34,182 for MS 365 software licenses and Arctic Wolf Platform for cyber security. Burgess Technology provides both services.

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 5 in the courthouse.