Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett updated County Commissioners on several items at their regular Board meeting Tuesday morning, Dec. 2.

A draft of the proposed mutual aid agreement between Knox, Sagadahoc, Kennebec, Waldo and Lincoln counties was provided for review. The agreement creates the framework through which county sheriff’s offices can work together in certain situations.  

Providing commissioners with the history of mutual aid between county sheriff’s offices, Brackett explained that a bill which was enacted during the last legislative session provided for clarification and broadening of the previous mutual aid statute which had excluded some situations and was cumbersome in its implementation.  

“This is a first step in closing the mutual aid gap,” Brackett told the commissioners. “We’ve always had a working arrangement with other counties, but this gives us statutory authority.”

In other business before the board, Brackett requested the commissioners’ approval to send two members of the sheriff’s office to escort six tractor trailers filled with wreaths as they travel from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery. After a trip which begins at 4 a.m. on Dec. 12, the wreaths will arrive in Virginia later the same day. The following day, volunteers will place them on graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received approval from the board to send two deputies as escorts. Both deputies are veterans of the military.   

High speed Internet

Members of the Midcoast Economic Development District appeared before the board seeking funding of $4,000 to facilitate a one-day meeting that would gauge the interest of Midcoast towns in creating high speed broadband capability.

Citing the example of Rockport, which has recently completed a high-speed Internet hub, MCEDD representatives envision the workshop as an introduction to the topic of high capacity broadband for towns.    

Contacted for further information about the project, Rockport Town Manager Rick Bates explained that theirs is a “very small network,” consisting of 1-1/2 miles of fiber optic cable which was implemented to attract businesses to the center of Rockport. Several entities joined in the $70,000 project. Currently, there are no private homes using the cable, which is installed primarily for business use.

Phil Lindley serves as Executive Director of ConnectME which is the state authority designated to make sure that broadband access is available to Mainers. In a telephone interview, Lindley indicated his office’s support of the project in Rockport as well as others in South Portland and Islesboro for potential growth of business. 

ConnectME assists conversations like the one proposed by the Midcoast Economic Development District.

“We bring the resources together and help identify the right people to talk to,” he explained.

Commissioners tabled further discussion pending additional information.