Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes February 6th, 2018
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes February 6, 2018 2175
9:05 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Tom Davis and Laura Sanborn 14°
Approval of Minutes -
Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the January 30th, 2018 minutes. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Sheriff’s Department Update –
Sheriff Troy Morton stated that today’s jail population is 195 inmates comprising 162 males, 33 females and 43 boarded out to other county jails and 1 swap. There are currently 54 inmates involved with pre-trial services. There are no federal inmates.
Our Sheriff represented Maine Sheriff’s at a recent legislative session on bills with direct impact to the county jails. These bills referred to sentencing guidelines, visitations, mandated programming, etc.
Troy received a copy of the restructuring report and spoke to other Sheriff’s and Mr. Fitzpatrick, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections. He reported that there will be more discussion on this report since this was not at all what had been discussed with the subcommittee in the fall as to how the State and Counties can collaborate and work together. The report had been just given to criminal justice committee yesterday, but Department of Corrections did not speak on it. The Sheriff states we knew a report was coming but were unaware of the timing or content as no advance notice occurred.
Sheriff Morton is frustrated that this report has comparisons of county jails to prisons. This new plan would result in inmates not having stability. Unfortunately, the Department of Corrections doesn’t seem to realize the services the county jails provide. He has found that pretrial services works well for the low risk offenders. He utilizes RISE to assist for opiate addiction. Sheriff states that the jail has become, by default, a detox center and a mental health facility for those that are in crisis and have criminal arrests.
The new proposal recommends closing the following county jails: Androscoggin, Oxford, Waldo, Franklin, Piscataquis and Washington County jails. Two of these small jails provide considerable housing for Penobscot County’s inmates. Closing these two jails, we would result in these inmates coming back to us.
Sheriff would like to see video conferencing made available to inmates. The Sheriff’s Office still allows emergency contact visits with a child and a case worker involved. We also allow contact visits for attorneys and clergy.
The Sheriff and Commissioner Baldacci attended a productive meeting last week with the courts regarding overcrowding. One key challenge addressed was the frequent movement of inmates and the difficulty of their counsel meeting with them. Commissioner Baldacci shared participants included DA Almy, Attorney Kaylee Folster, four criminal justice clerks, the Sheriff, himself and Judge Patrick Larson.
Commissioner Baldacci complimented Sheriff Morton for his advocacy to county jails.
UT Update –
Commissioner Davis moved to approve the Animal Control contract with the City of Old Town. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Move to approve passed 3-0. Signed.
Barbara informed the Commissioners that this week’s rain storm created a lot of ice on many of our roads. George Buswell is out inspecting roads and sheds in Argyle, Greenfield and Grand Falls this morning. George will attempt to get to Kingman and Prentiss this afternoon.
Barbara and George have ordered additional salt for Greenfield and Prentiss. Depending on what George finds today, there may be a need for an additional salt purchase.
Barbara updated the Commissioners that the Millinocket Lake Road wheeler has been repaired and is back in service. The smaller truck’s sander is still out of commission, but the crew worked diligently yesterday applying hot loads and scraping ice.
Barbara reports that the Grindstone Road has an ice buildup. They were unable to get a grader on it yesterday.
Executive Session---Commissioner Davis made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:40 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) Contract Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins and Barbara Veilleux. Session ended at 9:45 with no votes taken.
Executive Session--- Commissioner Davis made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:45 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) Contract Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Dan Tremble, Cap Ayer and Chad LaBree. Session ended at 9:59 a.m. with no votes taken.
Executive Session--- Commissioner Davis made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:59 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Dan Tremble, and Chad LaBree. Session ended at 10:07 a.m. with no votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:07 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins and Dan Tremble. Session ended at 10:30 with no votes taken.
Opening of Bids for Certified Police Vehicles
Quirk Auto Group –
Seven (7) 2018 Ford SUV police interceptor AWD Certified Police Vehicles
Unit Price $31,446 Total $220,122
Darlings –
Seven (7) 2018 Ford SUV police interceptor AWD Certified Police Vehicles
Unit Price $31,873 Total $223,111
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to take these bids under advisement. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
Public Comment –
Ron Redman from A-Copi Kenney came before the Commissioners to discuss the recent contract bid that was not awarded to his company at last week’s meeting. Ron felt that the company awarded the bid did not include in the specs the fax component. Ron was told that the fax cost was included in the price of the contract of the winning bid.
Probate Update –
Renee Stupak came before the Commissioners’ to introduce our new Deputy Register of Probate, Suzie Worster. The Commissioners’ welcomed Suzie to the County.
Executive Session---Commissioner Davis made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:56 a.m. under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins and Dan Tremble. Session ended at 11:12 a.m. with no votes taken.
Administrative Update –
The Commissioners reviewed the list of Human Relations Manager applicants.
MCCA breakfast will be held Thursday next week in Augusta.
Maine Revenue contacted Bill regarding the tax abatement decision that was decided upon January 9th stating they had not received formal decision in the mail. Bill forwarded a copy of the decision by email.
Bill stated an RFQ for Architectural and Engineering Services went in the newspaper this past Saturday. He is receiving calls on this request. Responses are due by next Monday, February 12th at 4:30 p.m.
Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve renovation of the third floor PRCC conference room. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
Payroll change notices signed for: Rebecca Woodard – Amended Resignation; Denise Molinaro – Change of Classification; Laura Craig, Ann Dunkerley, Holly Eastman, Gary Mehuren, Carole Starling, Donald Bolduc, and Christopher Watson – Rate Change.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 213,981.41
Account Payable Warrant to be approved: $486,253.50
Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved: $141,700.38
Public Comment – None
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Davis moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:13 with no further business on the agenda. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Certified By:
_______________________________
Administrator, William Collins
Peter K. Baldacci, Chairman
Laura J. Sanborn, Commissioner
Thomas J. Davis, Jr., Commissioner
