Lincoln County Commissioners set aside time in every meeting for public comment, but it is rarely used. On April 3, however, two citizens discussed the recycling program.

Beginning April 1, towns county-wide had to separate Plastics #1, a different density than other plastics, and eliminate Plastics #6, the black takeout containers that have no market. Plastics #2, which includes milk and water jugs and detergent bottles, was already separated, and most centers also separate them by whether they are translucent or colored. There is a ready market for them. The remaining plastics, 3, 4, 5 and 7, can be bundled and sold, as well.

To keep accepting plastics #1, transfer centers would have to agree to make sure only those plastics were sorted into a special bin. Many towns decided, because they don’t have full-time transfer station personnel, this was not possible, and stopped accepting only Plastics #2, a decision which will send the other plastics to landfills.

David Probert of Dresden asked how the county could help his town continue to recycle plastics. He said he was also concerned that Dresden’s select board did not seem to understand the change had taken place and insisted all plastics could be recycled in Dresden.  Administrator Carrie Kipfer said the transfer station in Dresden decided not to accept any plastics but #2, and was not alone. “Three or four stations are willing to try it,” she said. “We will be as flexible as we can be to find a solution for every town.”

Bremen Selectman Hank Nevins asked why some towns in Knox County were recycling through Lincoln County. “We send the trucks up there, and they don’t pay a fee, like Union does,” he said. He was also concerned the county and local police departments were having trouble attracting and keeping police officers due to the low rate of pay, which he pointed out, is only twice what a fast food restaurant pays. Sheriff Todd Brackett acknowledged he thinks police officers and deputies should be paid more, but is happy with a contract that was finally approved last year.

Kipfer unveiled the county’s new website, at lincolncountymaine.me, which is now live. Kipfer built the website. She said it took about 100 hours, mostly done in her spare time. The website features pages for each department and links to department and town and state websites and services.

The Sheriff’s Office got permission to purchase four vehicles which had been budgeted for. They will be purchased from Quirk Auto and Newcastle Chrysler, and will include one Dodge Charger, two Ford Interceptor SUVs and a Dodge Durango SUV.

Brackett introduced three potential new hires. He got permission to give provisional offers to James T. French, a 25-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police; David M. Bellows, a full-time police officer in Damariscotta, and Andrew C. Miner, who had been a strong candidate in the last round but had a medical issue during the physical tests and had to back out. After surgery, he reapplied. Bellows and Miner will need to go to the academy, Bellows for full-time certification and Miner for part-time, at first. The three will replace Justin Drake who transferred to the transport/court security detail, and fill two open positions, including a new one for traffic enforcement.

The county is looking for a new dispatcher. Sarah Rego resigned after seven years with the county.

A lease update has been finalized with the District Court for the next three years, with a four percent increase. The Superior Court will get new LED lighting and wiring, with medallion repair to cover up the holes from the old lighting. Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor donated $500 to the Heidi Fund, which provides financial assistance to selected K-9 handlers who wish to purchase a patrol dog. The Midcoast Heritage Trust made a payment in lieu of taxes to Maine Revenue Service and asked for $200 of it to go to Lincoln County for the Trust's holdings on Louds Island off the coast of Bristol. The island is an unincorporated territory. The commissioners agreed to transfer the funds, if received, to Bristol, which occasionally provides firefighting services to the island.