County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for December 12th, 2017

For a downloadable copy click HERE

Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes December 12, 2017 #2167

9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Tom Davis and Laura Sanborn 16°

Approval of Minutes-

Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the December 5th, 2017 minutes. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.

Executive Session- Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session- 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter at 9:05 am. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Sheriff Morton, Chief Birch, LT Ellis, LT Hotaling, LT Babb, Brian Thibeau, Harry Sanborn, Jim Ring and John Rouleau. Session ended at 9:23 with no votes taken.

Executive Session- Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session- 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter GCN #151 at 9:23 am. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Sheriff Morton, Chief Birch, Captain Clukey, LT Babb, LT Golden, James Mackie, Gary Huff and George Dean. Session ended at 9:55 with no votes taken.

Executive Session- Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session- 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter GCN #150 at 9:55 am. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Sheriff Morton, Chief Birch, Captain Clukey, LT Babb, LT Golden, Jim Mackie, Gary Huff and George Dean. Session ended at 10:05 am with no votes taken.

Executive Session- Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session- 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter GCN #148 at 10:05 am. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Sheriff Morton, Chief Birch, Captain Clukey, LT Babb, LT Golden, James Mackie, Gary Huff and George Dean. Session ended at 10:20 am with no votes taken.

PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Hearing on the proposed 2018 Penobscot County budgets were opened at 10:30 am. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to close the public hearing after no discussion. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0. Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the 2018 calendar year budget in the amount of $18,339,439.51 (Eighteen Million, Three Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand, Four hundred Thirty-nine dollars / 51 cents) Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve 3-0.

A public Hearing on the proposed Unorganized Territory were opened at 10:33 am. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to close the public hearing after no discussion. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the Unorganized Territory FY19 (July 2018- June 2019) budget in the amount of $1,687,155

(One million, Six Hundred Eighty-Seven Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-Five dollars / NO cents) Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.

Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to close the public hearings on both budgets. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.

UT Update –

Barbara Veilleux presented a letter exercising our Put Option with MRC that our Attorney has recommended. Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the Put Option with MRC. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve 3-0. This letter was signed by Bill.

Barbara presented the Penobscot Valley Humane Society contract. There were no changes in in the pricing. Commission Davis made a motion to approve the contract with Penobscot Valley Humane Society. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.

Barbara provided an update on the informational meeting that she, George Buswell and Commissioner Laura Sanborn attended last week. This was hosted by Wolfden Industries, the Canadian firm that is exploring mining in T6 R6 WELS. Barbara states it was well attended by approximately 100 people. Wolfden will begin drilling in the month of December and conducting a large loop by helicopter for an electromagnetic survey of the area to determine if there are other valuable deposits on the property. If enough materials are found Wolfden will most likely sell the property to a mining company.

The old LaCasa property has been purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Lyons. They are planning to open a gun shop in the lounge part later this year.

Sheriff’s Department Update –

Sheriff Troy Morton stated that today’s jail population is 191 in house with 52 boarded out to other county jails.

Sheriff reported that the Two Bridges contract expires today with the 60 day agreement we had with them. They are willing to renew, but have a price change from $40 a day to $ 49 a day. Commissioners asked to see if Troy would be able to negotiate a 60-90 days agreement at $45 a day.

There was discussion on the meeting Troy attended last week with Maine Sheriffs Association. Penobscot and a few other counties recommend that the monies follow the inmates. If monies are given to the sender first, then there is money to pay the receiver.

Sheriff Morton shared we were involved in the color guard presentation at Quirk Auto Sunday for the National Wreaths across America. Deputies John Knappe and Steve Boyd are traveling to Arlington National Cemetery as representation of Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office for the two day event.

There were two bids received for the Jail Medical Contract. Each bids received were timely.

Bid #1 from our current provider CHP. Their offer is $1,123,972for the first year (11 months), $1,275.197 for the second year, and $1.3 for the third year.

Bid #2 Medpro Associates out of Dover-Foxcroft bid $727,384 first year. $749,206 second year. $ 772,332 third year.

Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to take these bids under advisement. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.

Deeds Update –

Susan Bulay updated the Commissioners that the registry is doing very well with the recordings and monies received.

Susan is requesting permission from the Commissioners to attend a conference the end of February in New Orleans. The Registry of Deeds is willing to fund half the cost and Susan has funds in her budget to attend this conference. Commissioner Davis made a motion for Susan Bulay to attend this conference in February. Commissioner Sanborn seconded it. Motion to approve passed 3-0.

Executive Session---Commissioner Davis made a motion for an Executive Session- 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter at 11:25 am. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve 3-0. Present were Bill Collins & Renee Stupak. Session ended at 11:33 am with no votes taken.

Executive Session---Commissioner Davis made a motion for an Executive Session- 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter at 11:34 am. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve 3-0. Present were Bill Collins and Treasurer Dan Tremble. Session ended at 11:45 am with no votes taken.

Administrative Update –

There were two wreaths personally donated to the County by Beth Hayward from Machias Savings Bank. The Commissioners signed a card of thanks.

A special meeting was held in Augusta yesterday with Commissioner Dr. Joseph Fitzpatrick from the Department of Corrections. Judy Alexander attended on behalf of Penobscot County.

Bill Collins and Commissioner Baldacci will be attending a MCCA meeting in Augusta tomorrow.

Commissioner Davis moved to approve the 2018 Penobscot County Holiday schedule. Commissioner Sanborn seconded it. Motion to approve passed 3-0.

Payroll change notices signed for: Comp time Mary Anne Hesseltine.

Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 205,200.40

Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: $ 113,971.90

Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved for: $175,408.75

Public Comment - None

Meeting Adjourned- The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 am with no further business on the agenda.

Certified By:

Administrator, William Collins

Peter K. Baldacci, Chairman

Laura J. Sanborn, Commissioner

Thomas J. Davis, Jr., Commissioner