Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for June 12th, 2018
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes June 12, 2018 2193
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Tom Davis and Laura Sanborn 44°
Sheriff’s Department Update –
Sheriff Troy Morton stated that today’s jail population is 191 inmates; 155 males, 36 females with 40 boarded out to other county jails. There are currently 58 inmates in pre-trial services. There are no federal inmates and there are three county swaps.
Sheriff states that law enforcement has had a very busy week. The town offices of Enfield and Maxfield were burglarized Friday. The County Road Store in Milford had an armed robbery and there were two home invasions classified as strong armed robberies.
Sheriff reports there were 27 new admissions over the weekend in the jail. Two of the inmates had been released from the hospital to be transported to the jail, then almost immediately transported back to the hospital due to their illnesses.
Sheriff informed the Commissioners that one of our deputies was involved in a car-deer accident. Sheriff reports that Penobscot County has the highest number of such accidents in the State.
Sheriff reports that we have an inmate back in jail that was viewed a few years back as incompetent to stand trial due to mental issues. This inmate had been shot in 2015 by one of our deputies because of threatening behavior. Her most recent charge is trying to grab an officer’s gun while in the emergency department of a local hospital.
Sheriff reported that the inmate that had injured five of our corrections officers because of his mental health challenges was finally moved out this morning.
Commissioner Davis asked the Sheriff how many inmates are currently incarcerated with charges of murder – the Sheriff responded 12-13.
Sheriff reported that he received multiple calls yesterday indicating that the jail will be funded. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like what we have need to operate.
Bill interjected that Charlie Pray met with MACCAM yesterday and spoke to Bill. The Democrats were going to caucus at 6:00 pm. He asked Bill to be prepared to take a call from members of the Committee in regards to Jail Funding. No calls were received.
Sheriff stated that they have been working on a population study. He reports that probation violations are our biggest population driver.
A4TD Senior Community Service Employment Program and NWDB Update –
Joanna Russell from NWDB presented to the Commissioners that there are no updates to relay to them since US Department of Labor still has not made their decision. The State Board meeting for June has been moved to August 1st due to there is no strategic plan.
Joanna introduced to the Commissioners Mike Carroll who is the Director of A4TD. Mike informed the Commissioners what his programs entails.
o A4TD is a private nonprofit corporation that operates in Connecticut, Maine, New York Pennsylvania and Vermont. It is the nation’s oldest job training program. Their mission is to provide training and employment services to income eligible mature workers 55+ years or older. Currently they serve about 150 people state wide.
o A4TD works with employers and community organizations to develop and increase the range of employment opportunities available to mature workers.
o Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) enrolls eligible job seekers age 55+ into part-time training positions and assigns them to public agencies/organizations in the local community.
o SCSEP participants are assessed for skills and abilities while enrolled in the program. The maximum training is 48 months. Mike likes to transition them on in 12-18 months.
Commissioner Baldacci asked Mike if he’s noticed any problems because of the lack of State funding. Mike indicated that the uncertainty as to what is going to happen create restraints with recruiting and promotion.
UT Update –
Barbara Veilleux and George Buswell presented the Millinocket Lake Road plowing contract that was awarded to Adam Qualey, Inc. Signed.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to accept Barbara’s recommendation for the salt bid awards to go to NE Salt @$51.07 per ton for the Southern Region and Morton Salt at $61.88 per ton for the Northern region. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
Barbara and George attended the arraignment for Mr. Rackliff’s charge of operating an illegal junkyard. Mr. Rackliff pled not guilty and he will be having a dispositional conference on July 3rd. He represented himself.
Barbara and George presented the 2018 Work plan to the Commissioners. Culvert replacement if budget approved. There are no capital projects however the Myra Road will need work.
Barbara stated the she has received notification the Local Road Assistance funds for 2018 are slated at $105,884 which typically comes by the end of November. Barbara had projected $ 90K.
Barbara and George met with all members of the Kingman Fire Department. It was suggested that Barbara reach out to surrounding towns to see if there is interest in a regionalized service. Barbara suggested offering monies to pay people to respond. There are not many calls and Barbara feels this may be an incentive to recruit new personnel.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to authorize Lisa Kettle to work part-time for Kingman Fire Department in preparing the OSHA paperwork. Kingman has only requested one quarterly payment to date and still has $10,000 available. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
Barbara requested permission to send a letter to the Forestry division in regards to a fire that had taken place in Kingman. The firefighters had been told by the forester to pack up and leave. There was discussion on investigating the situation further before sending out a letter to forestry. Commissioner Sanborn recommended having everyone involved sit down with the district ranger to iron things out.
Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve the County and Matagamon Lake Association draft agreement and resolution for the TIF grant in the amount of $ 100 K. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0. Signed.
Probate Update –
Renee Stupak updated the Commissioners that Deb Schott retired Friday and her position has already been filled.
Renee stated the Maine Association Registers of Probate meeting will be held on Friday. The President of ICON will be there to discuss how to make more user friendly apps for the Attorney’s and Probate to work together.
Renee informed the Commissioners that her department has been extremely busy with new cases.
Probate is still helping support Aroostook County’s Probate office as much as they can with their Register out of the office due to illness. The Commissioners agree that counties help counties during times of need.
HR Update –
Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve a Respectful Workplace Policy. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Joanne McIntyre stated that she will present the policy to department heads and if there are additions to this policy she will bring that change to the Commissioners to approve.
Joanne and Sheriff Morton will work together in combining countywide policies.
Joanne said it had been brought to her attention that not all department require employee badges to be worn. If they are to be worn, should they be visible? The Commissioners feel that badges should be worn for security purposes. However, it was not important where on the body it would be located i.e. neck, waist etc.
Joanne feels that the program Power DMS that is used within the Sheriff and PRCC departments would be extremely beneficial to be used county wide. This program allows it’s users to find policies, forms, contracts and updates at their fingertips. Joanne feels this program would be beneficial for the entire county to have use of.
Joanne has also been going around the counties departments spot checking ergonomics. One item that is needed for intake is a 4 x6 anti-fatigue mat to go on the cement floor.
Joanne reports that Workmen’s Compensation claims have slowed down considerably in the last month.
Joanne is requesting the Commissioners permission to alter her work schedule a day or two during the week to include times to be available for those that work shift work, i.e. Corrections, PRCC, and Custodians. Okay provided she works it out with Administrator Collins.
Joanne would like to know if the Commissioners would approve an unpaid internship in her department. The Commissioners didn’t see a problem as long as Bill Collins participated in the selection process.
Finance Update –
Judy Alexander reported to the Commissioners that the TAN Fund a little over $ 1M. We have enough money to carry the County until the middle of July.
Judy reports that she is paying the bills with the revenue that is coming in.
Judy states that it was last August when we received State funds. Judy reports that this year we are not going to be able to wait until August for additional funding.
Administrative Update –
Bill Collins attended a meeting in Augusta Monday with other County Administrators and discussed the Jail budget crisis. Undeniably Penobscot County has the worst situation and facing the biggest challenges.
He learned Oxford County has the ability to use Casino funds to address their crisis.
PRCC has their labor management meeting for June 22nd.
Maine Stream Finance is holding their open house Thursday, June 14th.
Bill and Commissioner Baldacci will be attending the MCCA meeting tomorrow in Augusta.
Reminder that the County Health and Wellness Fair is being held tomorrow.
Lisa Whynot is questioning the Smith decision of the Commissioners abatement of an additional 15%. Lisa is using the base of the property vs the land value which the abatement was agreed upon. Lisa states the new land value should be $47,070 instead of $44,324 that the Commissioners decided upon.
Bill reached out to Rob Frank at WBRC for an update in regards to meeting with the city. As directed by the Commissioners, Bill will invite Rob Frank to attend a meeting between himself, Dan Tremble and Bangor officials.
Bill mentioned MACCAM will have comparative county salary data by July 1st.
Bill, Sheriff and Joanne will be meeting with Jack Parlon from FOP on Friday.
Bill has been receiving multiple emails on the County website that are quite disturbing. These emails appear to be coming from two different individuals. Bill has forwarded to the SO for investigation and follow up.
Bill provided an email from citizen Fritch from Dexter to the Commissioners. This has been referred to George Buswell and Barbara Veilleux to look into.
Payroll change notices signed for: George Buswell, Tyler Thompson, Barbara Veilleux and Bradley Fitzgerald– Comp time; Jason Raymond – Change of hours.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 240,042.21
Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: $131,546.92
Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved: $95,790.24
Public Session – None
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:45 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) Contract Matter. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Dan Tremble and Judy Alexander. Session ended at 11:00 a.m.
Commissioner Davis made a motion to approve Penobscot County obtaining up to a two million dollar credit line with Machias Savings Bank with Treasurer, Dan Tremble as the signer. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 11:01 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) Contract Matter. Commissioner Davis seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Sheriff Morton, Dan Tremble and Joanne McIntyre. Session ended at 11:21 a.m. NO votes taken
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Davis moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:22 am 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
