Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes March 27th, 2018
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes March 27, 2018 2182
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci (late 9:25), Tom Davis and 20° Laura Sanborn
Approval of Minutes -
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the March 13th, 2018 minutes. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 2-0.
Sheriff’s Department Update –
Sheriff Troy Morton stated that today’s jail population is 189 inmates; 156 males, 33 females and 41 boarded out to other county jails. There are currently 55 inmates in pre-trial services. There are no federal inmates. Yesterday’s count was at 206 inmates.
The Sheriff signed a 90 day contract extension with Two Bridges to board inmates.
Sheriff states that we need to revisit other counties for housing our inmates. Perhaps at six/eight month contracts for the future.
Troy informed the Commissioners that one of our patrol cruisers was in an accident last week up north. The repair quote is $10,900 minus our $ 1,000 deductible. The Commissioners asked the Sheriff to see if he could obtain another quote. He agreed to do so.
The Sheriff also reported that there were three incidents in the jail in the last two days resulting in four injured correction officers.
Sheriff was pleased to tell the Commissioners that he has had a tremendous response for Corrections officers openings; 16 applicants. This could certainly ease the burden to the current correction officers who are being forced overtime.
Sheriff participated in the Bangor Professional Firefighters 6th Annual Chili and Chowder cook-off for Muscular Dystrophy Association. Our Sheriff was award first place as the Amateur Chili Winner.
UT Update –
Barbara Veilleux presented an agreement with MDOT to allow an over limit permit to be issued to the contractor(s) that will be paving on I 95 SB from Sherman to Medway and the contractor(s) that will be working on a large culvert rehab project in Herseytown on I 95 SB ramp. These projects should not affect any of our local roads. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the permit as written. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Motion approved 2-0.
Barbara asked the Commissioners for their signature for the fire service agreement with the Town of Millinocket. There was discussion because the town is requesting an annual increase of 3% or ($100) in the union wage from $27.03 per hour with a one hour minimum to $ 30.56 per hour with a four hour minimum. The old contract was for a period of five years. The new contract is for a period of three years and calls are not paid until the annual stipend amount has been satisfied. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to accept the Millinocket Fire contract as presented. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-0.
Barbara and George are planning to attend and present at the County Day at the State House on April 12th.
Barbara presented the Town of Millinocket ambulance service agreement that had been approved by the Commissioners at their February 20th meeting. Signed.
Barbara said she and George are looking to see what can be done for the Millinocket contractor who claims he has not been paid for the whole winters work.
The Millinocket Lake contract is up for renegotiation in April.
We received complaints with on this last storm.
NWDB Updates –
Joanna Russell reported she met with the County Commissioners for Northeastern Workforce Development Area via conference call last night. One of the topics with extensive conversation, was sole sourcing with Washington County’s contract workforce.
The Commissioners’ voted unanimously to sole source the PY 17 contract for Washington County to Eastern Maine Development Corporation.
Joanna also wanted to bring to the Commissioners attention two points. Since Penobscot County is the fiscal agent for the Northeastern Workforce Board, sole sourcing is only for one year from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Joanna has only one year to fully procure all five counties for all three programs. The Commissioners’ and the local workforce boards need to figure out strategically what and how they want to see the workforce programs delivered and what milestones they want to see achieved going forward. Also, at the last meeting the State workforce board held they voted and approved 70% of the funds be allocated to training starting program FY18. That only leaves 30% to be allocated toward operations. That is a huge challenge for Eastern Maine Development Corporation. These big changes feel impossible to accomplish and is very concerned about the success of the program.
Joanna stated that they are waiting for US Department of Labor to weigh in on the strategic plan modification. Hopefully they will not allow the plan as it is. This plan modification was submitted from the Maine Department of Labor to the USDOL.
Joanna shared that they are still hiring new staff so the service providers need is to re-build the system.
When the 70% policy was passed and approved by the State workforce board, the Bureau of Employment Services notified the NWDB that they will no longer serve as the WIOA service provider in Washington County.
DA Updates –
Office Manager Kristine Higgins, informed the Commissioners that she has received a letter of resignation from a clerical specialist, Sheila Leavitt. Kristine is requesting permission to post the announcement in-house for two weeks.
Kristine stated that a part time clerical specialist will be leaving at the end of May too. This position had been reclassified as full time when it becomes filled.
Kristine mentioned that the clericals have been working to have a hot spot for internet service in the court room. This will be beneficial during the dispositional conferences so cases can be updated in real time and notifications can be given to those involved.
Probate Updates –
Renee Stupak reported that her team has been assisting Aroostook County with cases. Darleen Guy, Register of Probate for Aroostook County is ill. Renee and her team have been able to assist with their cases remotely. However, there are some instances that require a trip up to Houlton. These trips will be reimbursed by Aroostook County for mileage.
Deeds Update –
Susan Bulay reported on her recent trip to New Orleans for the National Registry of Deeds Convention. Although the snowstorm made it difficult for a return home, Susan stated that it was a successful Convention.
Susan said she spoke to the Vice President of MERS (Mortgage Electronic Registration System) and a lawsuit has been filed. Maine is the only state in the nation that stopped doing mortgages directly into MERS. Ours goes into a bank and the bank makes the assignment into MERS. This is causing difficulty for registers with the assignment process. Since Susan has returned the form has been changed. It seems to be getting better.
Susan stated that Maine is one of three states that doesn’t recognize the remote notary.
Susan said a main piece of discussion was on Data Security and Optical Recognition.
The guest speaker was Mark Geist of the movie 13 Hours – The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
Finance Update –
Commissioner Davis moved to bring forward remaining Jail FY ’18 balance to County calendar year 2018 in the amount of $315,215. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Passed 3-0.
Judy presented a spreadsheet reflecting revenues, expenses.
Judy reported that all taxes are now paid. The only revenue we are waiting for is interest from Webster Plantation.
Commissioner Davis made a motion for $ 50k to be earmarked for the architectural needs for the building committee project. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.
Finalization of TAN –
Treasurer and Administrator signed the TAN contract.
Commissioners signed actual bond of $4.4M. These monies will be available this Friday.
Administrative Update –
Bill stated that he and Commissioner Baldacci have been invited by the Criminal Justice Committee to be in Augusta tomorrow. We will then have to follow up with our local delegation on what our financial needs.
Dick Hansen and Bill met with Carroll Harper regarding supplemental health insurance for retirees. He is putting a more detailed plan to be presented to the Commissioners.
WBRC will be hosting a workshop on April 4-6 in which representatives from the Building Committee and Sheriff’s Office will be attending.
The RFP for the Wellness Center showers has been announced in the newspaper. The closing date is April 9th.
The Sheriff and Bill will meet with Union representatives for the supervisor correction officer’s negotiations on April 2nd.
Garry Higgins had to be called in to help with a disgruntled individual on campus.
Payroll change notices signed for: Tyler Thompson – Comp time; Brocke Robinson – Probationary period ended.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 205,924.99
Account Payable Warrant to be approved for: $225,948.36
Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved: -NONE-
Executive Session---Commissioner Davis made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:00 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 Sheriff Morton. Session ended at 10:22 a.m. NO votes taken
Executive Session---Commissioner Davis made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:30 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. Session ended at 11:12 a.m. NO votes taken
Public Comment – None
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:13 a.m. with no further business on the agenda. Commissioner Davis 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
