Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett shared with county commissioners June 2 some sobering statistics concerning the number of drug cases, overdoses and deaths in the past three years: In 2023, the sheriff’s office had 112 drug cases and 133 overdoses; in 2024, 138 drug cases and 125 overdoses; in 2025, 139 drug cases and 117 overdoses; in 2026, 89 drug cases and 36 overdoses.

“There were an average of 129 drug cases between 2023 to 2025. Drug overdoses totaled 411 for the past 3.5 years. What I’d like to do is explore an agreement with MDEA (Maine Drug Enforcement Agency) for a one-year agreement where we loan one of our deputy sheriffs to them,” Brackett said.

Under the agreement, a deputy sheriff would receive MDEA training and work in Lincoln County on drug cases. The sheriff’s department would hire a temporary replacement. After the year, the department and MDEA would consider whether to continue with a second contract.

Brackett wants to explore the arrangement due to an ever increasing drug presence in the Midcoast. He described a trend of out-of-state gangs bringing fentanyl into the state. “There are networks bringing drugs into the state. We need to do more to curb this activity, and this is where enforcement comes into play,” he said. “This is called a resident agent because it is housed in Lincoln County and would work in the District 6 (Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Knox and Waldo) region.”

Commissioners approved the request, and Brackett will explore an agreement with MDEA.

In other action, commissioners authorized a $6,624 payment to Motorola for body camera equipment and a year subscription for data storage. This is the third of a five-year agreement with Motorola.

Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission updated commissioners about plans for a state flood plain program. Executive Director Emily Rabbe reported the state would “roll out” the program in July, and the program would be sponsored by the Maine Office for Community Affairs. “The regional flood plain assistance program would provide a certified staff worker on FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) requirements for flood plains,” she said. “The person would assist local communities in updating their flood plan ordinances and enroll them into FEMA’s community rating system.” Rabbe added the state would provide regional commissions $125,000 as part of the program.

She also reported about preliminary discussions regarding a regional code enforcement idea. Currently, only two Lincoln County towns (Waldoboro and Wiscasset) have a full-time code officer. “The position would offer technical assistance with all the certifications,” she said. “It would work a lot like the animal control officer position.”

The courthouse steps will receive some much needed maintenance. Commissioners authorized paying Steele Construction of Wiscasset $3,500 to repair the lower and upper courthouse steps. County Administrator Carrie Kipfer reported Steele did a temporary fix in the winter. “The concrete steps have given way, and need replacing. This will be done prior to the end of summer,” she said.

The commissioners will send a letter of opposition regarding LincolnHealth’s decision to close its labor and delivery services. Kipfer will draft a letter signed by commissioners. The letter will be sent to Lincoln County’s state legislative delegation.

“This is something bad happening to the community. I think it’s good we chime in, and see what happens,” Commissioner David Levesque said.

Commissioners approved an agreement with Lincoln County Historical Association to store documents at the courthouse. This provides safe storage to documents from extreme temperatures, humidity and pests.

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 16 in the courthouse.