Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes March 20th, 2018
For a downloadable copy click HERE
Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes March 20, 2018 2181
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Tom Davis and Laura Sanborn 20°
Approval of Minutes -
Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the February 20th, February 27th and March 6th, 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 190 inmates comprising of 156 males, 34 females and 38 boarded out to other county jails. There are currently 53 inmates in pre-trial services. There are no federal inmates.
Sheriff developed a draft report from Maine Sheriff’s Association to Criminal Justice Committee which was sent to Bill Collins to be shared with the Commissioners. Once finalized it will be sent to Department of Corrections.
Troy reported that the MSA Conference was last week despite the bad weather. Sheriff stated he spoke to jail officials from across the country. They are experiencing identical challenges as we face in the jails.
Maine Pre-Trial provides a spreadsheet to the Sheriff and DA’s office a report of in custody. This indicates how long incarcerated and who they’re being represented by. Sheriff believes that since these reports have begun, that it is making an impact on getting the inmates out of the jail system. Troy will start sending those over to Bill Collins for his records.
Corrections Officer Tom Burgess is retiring at the end of the month after almost 30 years. We certainly thank him for his service within the Sheriff’s Office. We hope he enjoys his retirement in the South. This position has been posted.
Some of the staff went to the Husson University Job Fair yesterday. There are six possible candidates for corrections officers. Five positions have been filled, but we are still 3-4 positions short.
It was mentioned to the Sheriff of how well PRCC made out using INDEED as a job search engine.
They received over 130 applications in seven days. The cost benefit was incredible versus other avenues that have been used in the past.
Commissioner Davis made a motion to extend for an additional three months the Two Bridges Contract at $ 40 a day for housing inmates. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion approved 3-0.
Sheriff spoke to Representative Grohman that is on the Criminal Justice Committee. Sheriff stated that we first need to focus on the immediate shortfall needs, then figure out how to fund the long term needs for the jail.
Bill states the Sylvia Hebert from AFSME would like the Sheriff to be part of the future negotiations meeting with the Supervisor Corrections Officers.
UT Update –
George Buswell came before the Commissioners’ to sign the solid waste renewal contract for Burlington and Lowell. Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the contract as written. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion approved 3-0.
George stated that he attending the UT municipal cost component public hearing today in Augusta. The work session should be held on Thursday.
DOT contacted Commissioner Sanborn regarding the public hearing on West Branch Bridge. Commissioner Sanborn will provide both George and Barbara’s email addresses as the point of contact.
George reports that there is enough sand for Grand Falls, Prentiss and Greenbush to get by one more storm. Salt sheds will be depleted by end of season.
It has been reported that the Millinocket contractor who took over the contract has not paid for the whole winters work. Commissioners are requesting that George look into this.
Capital Carry Forward Request –
Commissioner Davis moved to approve department monies that haven’t been spent be carried forward to a reserve account in the amount of $117,824.20. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion approved 3-0.
Judy will get back to the Commissioners on the final undesignated balance for year-end December 31, 2017.
Console Bid Openings:
Chad Labree presented the Commissioners the Console Bids that closed yesterday at noon. Only one company out of three submitted a bid for the three hydraulic desks which are the same style as the ones purchased in 2007.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the bid of $41,635.50 from Russ Bassett. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Chad stated that the renovations are complete on the third floor. A new call taker started today and a second person will be starting on April 9th.
TAN Bid Openings –
Judy Alexander told the Commissioners that eight banks were solicited for the 2018 Penobscot County TAN in the amount of $4,400,000. The following six banks submitted their bid by the March 19th deadline.
1. Androscoggin Bank 2.65%
2. Bangor Savings Bank 2.28%
3. Camden National Bank 2.18%
4. First National Bank 2.16%
5. Key Bank 2.24%
6. Machias Savings Bank 2.19%
Commissioner Davis made a motion to accept First National Bank’s bid of 2.16%. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Administration Update -
Bill stated that he received a request for information from the National Corrections Union on our website. They would like copies of all our contracts as well as our wages and benefits information.
Maine County Government Day will be held on April 12th in Augusta at the Hall of Flags.
The Building Committee will be having their second meeting this Thursday with WBRC attending. Bill has spoken to SMRT and notified them that the contract went to WBRC. They were understandably disappointed. Bill informed Mr. Graham that this is but phase one in the process.
Bill said he hasn’t heard back from Cliff Warren from IT regarding the cyber security information Commissioner Baldacci received. NACo has partnered up with a nonprofit agency for cyber security with no cost to the County.
Payroll change notices signed for: Terry Sullivan – Comp time; Lucas Babcock, Donald Bolduc, Laura Craig, Charity Davis, Ann Dunkerley, and Holly Eastman – Probationary period ended.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 220,134.46
Account Payable Warrant to be approved 3/13/18 2nd run: $ 124.27
Account Payable Warrant to be approved for 3/20/18: $78,555.53
Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved: $19,771.34
Executive Session---Commissioner Davis made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:15 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 10:30 a.m. No vote were taken.
Public Comment -
None
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Davis moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 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
