Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for August 7th, 2018
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes August 7, 2018 2200
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci and Laura Sanborn 82°
Tom Davis - Absent
Sheriff’s Update –
Sheriff Troy Morton stated that today’s jail population is 202 with 60 boarded out to other county jails. It has been difficult to move inmates out due to the amount of time it takes to access records to see who is eligible to relocate.
Sheriff presented the Commissioners a tentative agreement with Two Bridges for a two year Boarding contract. Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve the contract with Two Bridges with some modifications to language. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Motion approved 2-0.
Sheriff met with PCHS regarding the RISE pilot program being extended to the male population. It is proceeding with counselors and clinicians attending orientation and screeners becoming more involved. Sheriff feels that because of the impact of drugs on the families, it would be beneficial to meet and provide resources and support to them too. There was discussion on when and where these meetings could be held. The third floor great room was cited since it is away from the jail and large enough for attendees. Dr. Gardner will provide the "Do’s and Don’ts of People in Recovery" to those assisting those in recovery. This concept, HEALTHY MINDS, will include inmates, clinicians and families. Commissioner Sanborn motioned to endorse Healthy Minds with budgeted monies come from the TPA account. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Motion approved 2-0.
Sheriff is still having problems with inside television programming (insertion channel). It has been eight months working with the cable company. LT Hotaling’s assistance has resulted in it moving forward to be operations by week’s end. Sheriff feels it will be beneficial at providing information/updates to the inmates.
Sheriff and Commissioner Baldacci met with Judge Larson and the court staff in the district court last week as well as the Board of Drug Court. These events opened up the lines of communication in discussing the jail issues.
Bill injected that he is still waiting to hear from the New York architects on the jail expansion study. They are looking to reduce the nine options previously discussed. Commissioner Sanborn understood it would be up to three weeks before we hear back.
Sheriff, Bill Collins, Judy Alexander, LT Hotaling, and Aaron Frey all met with Charlie Pray brainstorming ideas for legislation for the jail funding this fall.
UT Update –
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to renew the liquor license for New England Whitewater Center. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Approved 2-0. Signed.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the Greenfield cemetery maintenance contract with Jim Alexander. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Approved 2-0. Signed.
There was discussion on Orono Hazmat Team requesting an additional $2000 funding for 2019. These funds are paid between EMA and the County.
Barbara presented the Commissioners with pictures from Mr. Rackcliff’s illegal junkyard in Prentiss. The Judge gave Mr. Rackcliff an additional month to clean up his property. If the Judge is not satisfied with his progress, a trial date will be set.
There are no updates from the paving project in Greenfield to report.
Probate Update –
Renee Stupak updated the Commissioners that her budget proposal is finished and the overall cost dropped significantly from last year.
Renee is finding her department has been busy with estate cases increasing by one third.
Renee states that the changes to only one statute in June affected her department and court. This change is guardianship to minors. Susan Almy already placed the rules of notification on emergency of guardianship minors as part of our protocol.
Renee feels that there should be new legislation regarding confidentiality for minor guardianship. Their personal information should be invisible and not available for the public to see.
Finance Update –
Judy Alexander reports that the line of credit has $1 M left.
Historical data shows that we begin to receive tax revenue in August – typically about $1.2 M.
PRCC Update –
Chris Lavoie presented the stats for week ending August 5th generated 3,099 incident cards pulled for service with 1,293, 9-1-1 calls.
Chris has been corresponding with Norm Boucher who is our radio project consultant. Norm stated he should have the information back to Chris and Jim by end of this week. Then Norm will pick a date and come up to meet with the committee
Chris attended a meeting last Tuesday with EMHC and told them that PRCC is in no position to co-locate our dispatch centers. Chris also informed them that PRCC has strict policy rules. To be employed you must complete a law enforcement background checks and polygraphs. The idea to co-locate was quickly dismissed.
Chris mentioned that during the same meeting there was discussion to find better resource allocation for ambulance and non-emergent calls. Chris has found that there has been an increase in call volume. Chris states that there is another meeting planned in September to discuss how this can be resolved. Some communities are promoting the paramedicine based program by taking on a fulltime nurse to triage calls. Thus reducing the usage of non-emergent ambulance calls.
Chris states that two new call takers are ready to start training next week. One applicant from Bangor contacted Chris to vacate his position on Friday. Another applicant is finishing up on his polygraph today.
Jim Ryan has been reviewing and upgrading PRCC policies. Jim feels strongly that under the "USE OF ALCOHOL/DRUGS" a paragraph also include a clause the use of marijuana at any time is prohibited. Sheriff Morton added that he has added this policy to his department as representatives of public safety. It is recommended that this clause go to the Policy Board for review and recommendation.
Jim referenced Waldo Commissioner Amy Fowler is now Chairman of the 9-1-1 board. There is talk of buyouts for training dispatchers should be considered. It is costly to a county for the background checks, polygraphs and education involved of a dispatcher.
Chris wanted to formally thank Jim Ryan for all his assistance during this time of adjustments in PRCC. Tracey Erickson for adding to her role the administrative portion with payroll and bookkeeping. Lastly, Bill Collins for his support and assistance during this time.
Administrative Update –
Bill states that he and Commissioner Baldacci will be attending the MCCA meeting tomorrow in Augusta. There is consideration to have the 2019 MCCA convention at Point Lookout in Lincolnville.
Bill reports that there was a fire drill last Wednesday put on by the safety committee.
The internal postings closed for the Administrative Assistant position in PRCC and a Clerical Specialist in the DA’s office.
EMA will be holding the Deputy Director interviews Thursday afternoon and Friday this week.
Bill reminded the Commissioners that after the meeting today there will be the jail tour.
Bill provided a hard copy to the Commissioners the email from Mr. Bruce Flaherty regarding the presentation of "Spirit of America" awards. There is a large list and Mr. Flaherty would like it set up for a Tuesday in October, at 2:00 pm, in the third floor great room. Okayed for Bill to make contact with Mr. Flaherty to set something up.
Bill made the Commissioners aware that the air conditioning unit broke down Friday night. Mechanical Services came in was able to fix the problem on Saturday.
There were FOP negotiations on Wednesday and Thursday.
Bill asked the Commissioners permission to sign NWDB paperwork since he is a signatory for Tom Davis. Okayed.
Public Comment –
Christopher Swift, a resident of Woodville, came before the Commissioners to update them on a concern he brought before them last June regarding the Air National Guard military training facility being constructed near Woodville. In the last thirteen months he has been communicating with other agencies to find out who is in charge of the area. Mr. Swift feels that this project turned out bigger than what was discussed two years ago. He is in the mist of forming a committee to review this project. Commissioner Baldacci recommended that he work with Commissioner Sanborn and Barbara Veilleux for local assistance. Also he should reach out to Senators Collins and King, Congressman Poliquin for federal input as well as contact someone from Maine Air National Guard. Chris will contact us when a date is set for a meeting to be held in Chester.
Administrative Update – Continued:
Payroll change notices signed for: McKenzie Madden and Toni Davis – Hired full time; Douglas Libby – Demoted; Bradley Fitzgerald and Tracy Hall – Comp Time
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 230,887.74
Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: $ 409,453.96
Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved for: $ 18,503.39
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:15 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) Legal Matter. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Vote to approve 2-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Sheriff Morton and Chief Birch. Session ended at 10:26 a.m.
No votes taken
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:27 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Personnel Matter. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Vote to approve 2-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Chris Lavoie and Jim Ryan. Session ended at 10:35 a.m.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve conditional offers of employment to Dena Deflaminis and Alexis Smith Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Move to approve passed 2 – 0.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:37 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) Contract Matter. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Vote to approve 2-0. Present were: Bill Collins. Session ended at 11:01 a.m. No votes taken.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:02 am with no further business on the agenda. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 2 -0.
Certified By:
Administrator, William Collins
Peter K. Baldacci, Chairman
Laura J. Sanborn, Commissioner
ABSENT Thomas J. Davis, Jr., Commissioner
