In June, Lincoln County commissioners hired a Portland firm to perform a structural assessment of the sheriff’s building. Gale Associates began its review of the 18-year-old building earlier this month. Gale is assessing the building’s structural integrity, soil samples, and heating and ventilation system. On Sept. 19, commissioners authorized a $112,650 payment for the study.

Contractors did their first round of data collection two weeks ago. Kipfer reported Gale will return at some point to collect more information prior to working on draft recommendations. Kipfer is expecting a final report in January.

In other action, the county accepted DAR Construction’s $60,850 bid to build a sallyport for Lincoln County Recycling Center in Wiscasset. The Woolwich business was one of two bidders. The other was Zander Lee General Contractor of Damariscotta. Finance Director Michelle Richardson advised commissioners to select DAR’s bid because it was the more complete one. “It matched everything we requested, and they expect construction finished by the first significant snowfall,” she said.

The sheriff’s department has made a conditional employment offer to Nathan Kyle Yeaton of Wiscasset. Sheriff Todd Brackett reported Yeaton recently finished active duty in the U.S. Air Force. The recruit does not have prior law enforcement experience but his grandfather, Chad Yeaton, served as a Lincoln County sergeant. “Nathan is a fine young man, and once his background check comes back, we will make him an offer,” Brackett said. 

The sheriff also received commissioners’ approval for four payment authorizations. The department is using a federal Edwin Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to pay $8,288.85 for 13 entry tool kits. Brackett described the kits as duffel bags with a pry bar, sledgehammer and other tools used to gain quick entry into buildings. Commissioners authorized purchasing duty ammunition for side arms and long guns. The cost is $4,012. Commissioners approved purchasing new tires for the upcoming winter season totaling $2,926.70, and $2,343 for radio equipment such as wires, speakers and antennas.

Commissioners approved a Communications Center request to change emergency radio communication towers on Blinn HIll in Dresden. The center currently has its equipment on a Central Maine Power tower rent-free. The center wants to move its equipment to improve the signal transmission which is being interfered with from other organizations using the CMP tower. “This will provide vastly improved coverage in the Dresden and Whitefield area,” Kipfer said. “And at $600 a month, this is a very reasonable rate.”

Commissioners sent a $20,000 grant to Monhegan for its broadband project. Commissioners used American Rescue Plan Act funds for the contribution. Kipfer reported Monhegan is working with Axiom Technologies. The project’s budget is $1,245,317. Besides the $20,000 ARPA grant from Lincoln County, Monhegan received $687,000 from a U.S. Department of Agriculture Grant, a $250,000 Connect Maine grant, $100,000 from Maine Aqua Ventus, and a $209,000 municipal loan. 

Commissioners accepted the resignation of paralegal Betty Cheff in the district attorney’s office. Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3 in the courthouse.