Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for August 14th, 2018
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes August 14, 2018 2201
9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci and Laura Sanborn 70°
A moment of silence for Commissioner Tom Davis was held before the start of the meeting. Commissioner Davis passed away on Sunday, August 12, 2018.
Public Comment –
Citizen John Hiatt of Bangor came before Commissioners’ to offer his condolences and to share how he was acquainted with Commissioner Davis.
Approval of Minutes -
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the July 31st and August 7th, 2018 meeting minutes. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 2-0.
UT Update –
Barbara Veilleux confirmed that the split between EMA and UT for Orono Haz Mat is 75% and 25%.
Barbara states that the paving has been completed on Cross and Littlefield Roads in Greenfield Township. Hopefully, work will be completed on Myra Road by the end of week. The paving mixture came from the Sargent’s Plant in Hermon and the roads have turned out wonderful.
George and Barbara completed 9-1-1 addressing on the North Side of Millinocket Lake T2 R8 WELS yesterday. There are a few properties left to do but we are making incredible progress.
George reported that roadside mowing is still ongoing.
Barbara and George have researched the military training facility that was discussed by Mr. Swift last week. The LUPC has issued an advisory ruling that states the planned activities for the property is an approved use and would be subject to certain conditions. At this time neither the LUPC nor the DEP has received a permit application for the project. Barbara questions whether or not to hold a meeting with stakeholders before an application has been submitted. She was told to wait.
Barbara and George have looked at aerial photography which shows this property to be secluded with no residential properties nearby. They plan on visiting the property to assess it themselves. Chester has contacted Commissioner Sanborn with concerns about the noise level in the firing range.
Commissioner Sanborn will work with Barbara in regards to the mining project.
George stated after the paving projects are complete, it will be time to get the sand.
Bill presented a letter from the Town Manager of Carmel to Penobscot County as an interested Party in regards to safety of Route 69. Bill asked if Barbara and George if they could attend this meeting with DOT.
PRCC Update –
Chris Lavoie presented the stats for week ending August 12th. PRCC generated 1,365 9-1-1 calls and 4,056 business lines calls. There were 5,421 calls total. Chris states the numbers were magnified because of the storm and trees down.
Chris reported two call takers starting this week at the Academy. Two call takers are going through drug screening and two more are going through their background checks. Chris states that PRCC is in the position to hire one more call taker since one call taker resigned his position to go back to Bangor. Chris will be conducting interviews next Friday for the Administrative Assistant position.
Chris and Senior Operator Chris Fox met with Verizon to work out a plan for back up phones for our business lines. Verizon has offered ten phones and five Wi-Fi jet packs for free. When in use the cost will be $39.99 per phone per month for unlimited minutes and data. Verizon will only charge PRCC the time the phones are in actual use. Verizon will place PRCC on the first responder plan which is considered priority and will always have fast service. The Commissioners approved going forward with this plan.
Chris heard back from Norm Boucher, consultant for the radio tower project. He said that he would be available the second week of September.
Jim Ryan met with multiple chiefs from Newport, Brewer, East Millinocket and Millinocket to explain the changes that have been made with PRCC. They are very understanding that PRCC is busy and understaffed. Jim assured the towns that things will get better and wanted word passed to the troops that we appreciate their patience.
Jim reported that the biggest complaint received is the radio system with northern law enforcement not able to clearly hear what is being transmitted.
Jim states that standard operating procedures (SOP) have been updated. They have been placed on the google website that senior operators can log in and make additional comments. These will be provided to the Commissioners in September for final approval.
Administrative Update –
Bill reports that FOP line and supervisors negotiations have been cancelled this week out of respect for the passing of Commissioner Davis.
Bill and others were part of the interview process for the EMA Deputy Director. Bill reports that there was some very strong candidates and he and Michelle will speak more on this during executive session.
Bill contacted Mr. Flaherty in regards to the Spirit of America Awards. It was decided to be held at October 9th at 2:00 in the third floor great room.
Bill informed the Commissioners that their rooms have been booked for the MCCA convention that will be held in Portland in September. There has been discussion from county officials to recognize Commissioner Davis. Bill would like permission to invite the Davis family for Saturday night’s events including lodging. Approved.
Bill reported he received this week two grievances from AFSCME and will work with Jim Mackie and Sylvia Hebert to set up dates for the hearings with the Commissioners.
AFSCME has also reached out to Bill to start negotiations for Corrections Line, Corrections Supervisors and Dispatchers.
Barbara received an email from a resident on the Lawler Road in regards to winter maintenance.
Sheriff’s Office provided the jail numbers to Bill. Today’s jail population is 183 (141 males, 42 females) with 64 boarded out to other county jails. There are no federal inmates while we have 55 inmates in Pre-Trial Services.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:45 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, Dan Tremble and Michelle Tanguay. Session ended at 10:00 a.m. No votes taken
Finance Update –
Judy Alexander reports the line of credit after today has approximately $1M left.
Judy has been told that the States monies should arrive anytime. As of such, none have been received.
Judy reported that more tax dollars have come in.
Beth Hayward and Nicki Pellenz from Machias Savings Bank came before the Commissioners with a proposal to offer Penobscot County 1.75% interest rate on deposits for a three year commitment.
The current interest rate that the County has is .7%. The Commissioners asked for a week to report back to them with a decision.
Sheriff’s Office Copier Bid Opening:
Judy Alexander presented three bids for (2) Sheriff’s Office copiers and service contract for copier equipment purchased in the bid.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to take these bids under advisement until Judy Alexander can review the specs. Commissioner Baldacci seconded the motion. Moved 2-0.
Executive Session---Commissioner Sanborn 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 Baldacci seconded the motion. Vote to approve 2-0. Present were: Bill Collins and Dan Tremble. Session ended at 10:52 a.m. No votes taken
Dan Tremble stated that Bangor City Council had a moment of silence for Commissioner Davis at their meeting last night.
Bill also said that he has received numerous phone calls, texts and emails from all across the State passing along their condolences to the Davis family and County.
Commissioner Baldacci said he received a phone call from Washington County’s Chris Gardner offering his condolences for the passing of Commissioner Davis.
Payroll change notices signed for: Benjamen Brown and Jennifer Sanford – Probationary Period Ended; Jason Brooks – Resignation; Bradley Fitzgerald – Comp Time
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 239,230.95
Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: $ 166,739.92
Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved for: $ NONE
Public Comment—None.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:54 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
