Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for December 11th, 2018
For a downloadable copy click HERE
Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes December 11, 2018 2218 9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Laura Sanborn and Andre Cushing 12°
UT Update –
Barbara Veilleux presented the Patten Ambulance contract for signature with no change in price. Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve contract as presented. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0. Signed.
Commissioner Cushing moved to approve Penobscot Valley Humane Society annual contract with a price raise from $800 to $900. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0. Signed.
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve the Regional Animal Control Officers payroll change from $13.50 to $13.75 an hour. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0. Signed.
Barbara informed the Commissioners that the Mt. Chase Fire Department took possession of their new truck last week with the closing taking place in Barbara’s office. They were able to purchase a new vehicle through O’Connor’s municipal program which saved them in excess of $10,000 off sticker price.
Brown Construction has submitted an invoice in the amount of $105,810 for the work that has been completed to date on the Matagamon Dam. Barbara feels that since 80% of the work has been completed, it may be wise to pay 80% of the invoice. Commissioner Sanborn moved to pay Brown Construction 80% of the TIF award grant of $100,000. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
PRCC Update -
Chris Lavoie reported the Center has received SPOOF calls for the last couple of weeks. OTT telecommunications placed their old phone numbers back in so these calls can be monitored.
Chris also spoke about an incident that happened last Tuesday with our phone lines going down. The Verizon phone lines were activated about the same time that OTT activated the backup lines. Chris will contact the Sheriff’s department, jail and Mr. Collins as well as IT to set up an after action review so that we can be better prepared in case this happened again.
Chris is meeting with the supervisors an updating the Standard Operating Procedure Policies. Chris will attend the PUC meeting this afternoon regarding a texting protocol. Law enforcement doesn’t have protocols currently. Chris feels that the State needs to reword the texting policy so that all 911 Centers follow the same guidelines. Administrative Update –
Aaron Newcomb is working on the showers in the Wellness Center.
The Safety door that the safety committee submitted to MMA for reimbursement needs to be completed by the end of year for reimbursement.
MCCA meeting is in Augusta tomorrow. Maccam is writing a letter of support for Penobscot County to receive $ 260K in undesignated supplemental funds for our Jails funding shortfall.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion for Commissioner Baldacci to be Penobscot County’s representative on the MCCA Board. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Commissioner Cushing moved to have Bill Collins continue to be Commissioner Baldacci’s proxy for the MCCA board. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Commissioner Cushing and Treasurer Elect John Hiatt will be attending the MCCA sponsored newly elected officials training in Augusta on Friday.
The Annual Holiday party on the third floor will be taking place this Friday.
Emails were sent out last week to all employees for the parking tags. The cost is $5 for two years.
Commissioner Cushing made a motion to charge Kennebec Behavioral Health $ 25 a month for parking permits. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Bill received notification from the Town Manager of Howland of a possible tax abatement hearing for the Commissioners to consider.
Judy attended the HAN training with EMA last week. Michelle will come in to present the notification system update to the Commissioners.
Reminder second interviews will take place this afternoon for the Human Relations Director position.
Bill presented to the Commissioners a list of the other counties meeting schedules.
Bill was recently contacted by Claire Kiedrowski of Maine Orthoimagery (aerial photography). Claire is requesting funding for the 2020 to 2022 years. In the past funding was 1/3 from Federal, 1/3 County and 1/3 State. Bill plans on meeting with Claire to iron the details.
Assistant Finance Director, Tyler Thompson will be back in the office by end of this week.
The Annual Chamber dinner is scheduled for Friday, January 25th.
Lee Umphrey is looking to fill Commissioner Davis’ seat on EMDC Board of Directors.
Penquis is also looking to fill Commissioner Davis’ seat on that board. Commissioners’ Meeting #2218 The Sunshine Fund account typically sponsors the Holiday Party and Ground Hog Day party. These funds are drying up and Bill is asking the Commissioners to consider sponsoring these future events. Commissioner Baldacci noted the County could sponsor the Holiday Party. He would have Finance Director Judy Alexander and Bill determine where the funding can come from.
BDN has made a Freedom of Information request.
Commissioner Baldacci has been NIMS certified.
Channel 7 will be meeting today at 11:30 a.m. in regards to the County’s plans for the old “Y” building.
Ethel Ann Greenlaw and Robert Greenlaw – Payroll Changes. Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 216,582.49 Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: $ 139,997.00 Unorganized Territory Warrant to be approved for: -NONE-
Public Hearing –
A public Hearing on the proposed 2019 Penobscot County budgets were opened at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to close the public hearing when no comments were received. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the 2019 calendar year budget in the amount of $19,467,672 (Nineteen Million, Four Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred Seventy-two dollars and NO cents) Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
A public Hearing on the proposed Unorganized Territory were opened at 10:10 a.m. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to close the public hearing when no comments were received. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the Unorganized Territory FY20 (July 2019 – June 2020) budget in the amount of $1,704,294 (One Million, Seven Hundred and Four Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-Four dollars / NO cents) Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to close the public hearings on both budgets. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion to approve passed 3-0. Public Comment –
Dan Tremble advised Bill Collins to check with MCCA to see about a bill that he heard being presented to the legislators in Augusta regarding 15-20% of sales tax to go to the County.
Doug Dunbar, citizen from Hermon requested an update to his email sent to the Commissioners. Commissioner Baldacci responded to Doug’s requests:
o Inmates are released at midnight unless they request to leave at 0630 with appropriate clothing. Sheriff stated if the inmate has seven (7) days or less to serve, they leave at the time of admission. o Adult Education has taken over library services and are currently accessing the materials we have in the Jail. The Sheriff will be notified with their findings. Adult Education will present what materials are recommended for the library.
o Doug would like a copy of the professional visitor policy.
o Doug is requesting a copy of the Narcan policy. Sheriff states that this policy cannot be released as it details where medications are dispensed and housed.
o Doug feels that there should be a resource book of services available to inmates and families when they are released.
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to accept the loan of ten (10) lithographs from Collette King given to Commissioner Andre Cushing to be hung in the public space of our building. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing 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, Dan Tremble and Chris Lavoie. Session ended at 10:44 a.m. No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing 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 Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins and Dan Tremble. Session ended at 10:46 a.m. No votes taken.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Cushing moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:47 a.m. 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 Andre E. Cushing, III, Commissioner
