Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett was diplomatic in responding to a question on how local law enforcement would have handled the Uvalde, Texas active shooter incident. On May 24, an active shooter entered a Uvalde elementary school and killed 19 students and two teachers and wounded 17 others. On July 15, Commissioner Mary Trescott asked Brackett what he thought about how Texas law enforcement handled the situation. 

Brackett’s response about the challenges law enforcement faces in these situations also noted another recent incident in Akron, Ohio where a car chase resulted in the suspect’s being shot “dozens” of times. “I wasn’t there,” Brackett said. “You have people wondering why police didn’t shoot the Uvalde gunman ‘60’ times and others wondering why law enforcement shot the Akron suspect ‘60’ times. It’s a real situation and everyone acts differently. We work hard and build a relationship with local schools so we will be prepared if something like this should happen here.”

Besides being in contact with schools, the sheriff’s department trains with local fire departments and a newly formed county Emergency Response Team for handling active shooter situations. “God willing such a situation will never happen here. So we train to do our best in such circumstances,” he said. 

In other action, commissioners conditionally approved a new part-time deputy sheriff. Trevor Roach of Waldoboro was hired pending a background check and psychological and polygraph tests. “He has completed his academy reserve training and he’s interested in becoming full-time. We will bring him in as a reserve,  provide further training and see how everything goes,” Brackett said. 

The sheriff also received authorization to pay for a previously ordered Ford SUV Hybrid vehicle. The county is paying Quirk in Augusta $36,041 for the new vehicle. Brackett also received approval to seek another vehicle without the usual bid process. Brackett reported ordering vehicles is harder, if not impossible, due to current supply chain problems. The department is seeking a mid-sized Chevy Tahoe SUV for the K-9 unit. “It seems Bear and Deputy Jonathan Colby have outgrown their current vehicle. We would like to bid on one, but they aren’t available.  If one is located, it may not last. So we’d like the option to purchase one as quickly as possible,” he said.

Brackett received authorization to work with County Administrator Carrie Kipfer to spend up to $40,000 if an appropriate SUV materialized. Commissioners approved Brackett’s request on a one-time basis. “We’ll see how this works,” Commissioner Bill Blodgett said.

Commissioners approved dates for the county budget schedule. The caucus is scheduled for Sept. 15 and the public hearing is Sept. 22. An all-day work session is set for Sept. 14 and a follow-up session with the budget advisory committee is on Nov. 3. Kipfer will add times for each meeting after consulting with budget advisory committee members who are all local selectmen. 

Commissioners authorized buying a new part for a Lincoln County Recycling 2001 Mack Packer. Commissioners approved spending $3,339 for a main control valve fitting assembly. County officials are also hoping to enter into a fuel oil contract once the price stabilizes. Kipfer reported on July 7 the price was $4.39 per gallon. Last year, the county used $21,000 gallons heating the courthouse and sheriff’s office. “It’s dropping, and by mid-August, it may be $3.82 per gallon. If it drops as low as $3.50, I would like to lock-in to purchase 21,000 gallons,” she said.

Commissioners approved her request. Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 in the courthouse.