The April 4 meeting of the Lincoln County Commissioners was held in a newly renovated courthouse. The district attorney’s offices were relocated to the east side of the building, where the Deeds offices used to be, and the Deeds offices were placed in the prosecutor’s complex of offices.

The builders, including a team from Two Bridges Regional Jail, who made the changes during the administrative shutdown week for the court, also added a new door to the Deeds offices on the west side of the building, and finished it to look like the rest of the historic doors.

“I’m amazed that it only took four days,” said County Administrator Carrie Kipfer. “I’m making a list of people to thank.”

There are still boxes in hallways waiting to be refiled, and signs waiting to be rehung, but the move is largely complete. With the addition of the Emergency Management Agency in the courthouse and the law library’s move to the ground floor, the space is more user-friendly.

Sheriff Todd Brackett said the jail numbers continue to decrease due to efforts to get people into alternative systems, including the Sheriff’s Office’s own diversion program and Maine Pre-trial services. Hamilton Meserve said the county is saving some $8 million per year because of these efforts. Brackett said he was concerned about legislation that might move the jails back into the state’s authority, especially LD 1266, sponsored by Sen. Bill Diamond (D-Windham). Brackett said that while adjustments are needed in the current system, he is concerned the state will have less incentive to work with inmates to divert them to other programs.

Brackett also brought in bids for four new vehicles. One was a sedan cruiser, and three were SUV types. The best price for the sedan was from Newcastle Chrysler for $23,534. The three SUVs will come from Quirk Augusta, where two will have price tags of $27,078, and one will cost $27,232, because it has additional options. Brackett also received approval to apply for a $3,120 grant for seat belt safety around Memorial Day.

Communications Director Joe Westrich named the two new hires he wants to add to his group of 9-1-1 staff. They are Justina Boot and Jerrad Dinsmore. He also thanked Commissioner Mary Trescot and the supervisors for helping him with the process. The week of April 9-15 is National Telecommunications Week, and Westrich will hold an award ceremony on April 11 to recognize the following employees: Kathy Blagdon, Rob Bickford, Mark Creamer, Bobbie Robinson, Pamela Reed, Melissa Temple, Craig Balsdon, Sonia Lilly, Tara Doe, Josiah Winchenbach, Sara Rego and Emily Snowman. He also said that contract renewals are underway for the Kennebec County communities currently using Lincoln County’s system, including Farmingdale, West Gardiner, Pittston and Randolph. Additional towns may be coming online in the summer.

Casey Stevens of the EMA said he is attempting to obtain a former ambulance for free to house amateur radio equipment so that the HAM radio operators can take their equipment where it is needed to provide emergency communications. For example, if a town’s communication tower fails, the HAM radio operators could provide essential communication services with fire and police and other first responders, and use the amateur system to inform other people about conditions. Stevens said his and his assistant’s next project is to update the EMA’s website and presence on social media.  He also said he met with the Coast Guard and the EMA of Southport about concerns both have for the inhabitants of Squirrel Island, especially in case of a fire. They will be planning a tabletop exercise to determine how to provide services there, especially in the summer when residents are there.

Kipfer announced a new contract for fuel oil for $1.77 per gallon, from M.W. Sewall of Bath. She reminded the commissioners of Geoffrey Rushlau’s nomination to the Maine District Court, and said she would try to have him come in during the next commissioner’s meeting. She announced that she was recommending the hiring of Jeannine Clark of Dresden as Deputy Registrar of Probate; the hiring was approved. Kipfer also discussed the space contract for Probation and Parole, which went up 50 cents per square foot, to $9.50 per square foot for the next two years.