Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for January 2, 2019
For a downloadable copy click HERE
Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes January 2, 2019 2220 9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Laura Sanborn & Andre Cushing 9°
Swearing in of Elected Officials –
Dedimus Justice Barbara Veilleux swore in the newly elected officials.
Commissioner Laura Sanborn for District 3;
Commissioner Andre Cushing for District 2 Register of Deeds, Susan Bulay Treasurer, John Hiatt
Election of Chairman –
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to re-elect Commissioner Baldacci as Chairman. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.
Approval of Minutes -
Commissioner Cushing made a motion to approve December 11th, 2018 minutes with minor change to Administrative Update to read: “Channel 7 will be meeting today at 11:30 a.m. in regards to the County’s plans for the old “Y” building”. Commissioner Sanborn seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the December 18th, 2018 meeting minutes. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
UT Update –
Barbara Veilleux presented the regional animal control contract with the Town of Veazie. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve the contract as presented. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Signed.
The two stray dogs from Argyle Township that were reported as aggressive and full of porcupine quills are now housed at the Bangor Humane Society. Brewer Emergency veterinarian removed the quills and lowered the cost to $745.
Commissioner Cushing made a motion to approve the Saw Mill Grill liquor license renewal. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0. Signed.
Commissioner Sanborn moved the Town of Alton addendum to charge $150 per hour for use of the fire protection vehicle agreement for Argyle to begin January 1, 2019. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
Barbara stated that she is not receiving invoices in a timely manner from Alton Fire. This causes a financial cost to the county.
George Buswell states that he is concerned about the salt/sand inventories. PRCC Update -
Chris Lavoie presented the after action review following the smoke fire in the IT department on December 4th. Chris requested the Commissioners keep these documents private due to critical infrastructure information.
The past month there has been an issue with the radio tower in Medway. Specially the one serving Medway and East Millinocket Fire departments. Chris keeps hearing there was ice on the tower. We experienced an outage on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We had to use a backup. When Whitten’s arrived they came to the conclusion that the microwave radio that runs the Medway tower is out of service and needs to go back to GE for work. GE is not sure if they have the equipment available to fix this radio. Whitten’s recommends we buy a new microwave radio. We are still waiting to hear from GE. The cost of the radio will be approximately $2-3K. This is a serious issue that needs to be resolved.
Chris states that much equipment being used is near its end of life expectancy. Chris reports that new equipment will be quite expensive due to the new technology. Some of the used replacement equipment will have some resale value.
Administrative Update –
Bill Collins received and forwarded information to the Commissioners’ of a Sheriff’s vehicle that was in an accident on outer Broadway last week responding to a call.
Next Wednesday, January 9th Commissioner Baldacci and Bill will be traveling to Augusta for the MCCA annual meeting. Commissioner Cushing and Treasurer John Hiatt will attend the Chamber Breakfast at the Cross Center.
The Chamber will also be holding their Supper meeting on Friday, January 25th. Commissioners Sanborn and Cushing along with John Hiatt will be attending that event.
Bill reminded the Commissioners that arraignments have been made with Rudman and Winchell for a sexual harassment training to occur on January 31st.
We have invoiced Cigna for the showers in the Wellness Center. MMA has been invoiced for the safety door.
Bill asked if the Commissioners had revisited their decision on whether or not to hold bimonthly meetings. Commissioner Baldacci feels at this time we should stay with standard schedule.
There will be a blood drive at Bangor PD next week being hosted by Bangor PD and the Sheriff’s Office.
Bill announced that the Commissioners offer of employment to Erika Honey for the Human Resource Director position was accepted. Erika will start the position January 22nd. She comes well recommended and we look forward to her joining the County management team.
In regards to expanding the building committee, Commissioner Cushing has asked Town Manager Jim Ricker from Newport to serve. Commissioner Baldacci recommends keeping Dan Tremble Bangor City Councilor, and Commissioner Sanborn is waiting to hear back from her recommendation from Lincoln. The building committee will be invited to come to the Commissioners’ Meeting on Tuesday, January 15th.
Bill discussed the deferred compensation program that we have with VOYA. Currently there is a nine month wait during an employee’s probationary period. Karon Noyes states this is Penobscot County’s policy, not VOYA’s so this can be changed. Commissioner Baldacci then stated that this should be talked about during an executive session.
Bill reported that we received a DOC final transfer of $914K.
Joshua Lilley – Promoted; Robert Booth, Ryan Fitch, William Haefele and Donna Smith - Payroll Changes; Tyler Thompson and Tina Morrison – Comp Time.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for 12/21/18: $ 214,860.98 Payroll Warrant to be approved for 12/28/18: $ 212,502.24 Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for 12/21/18: $ 92.097.58 Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for 12/26/18: $ 197,754.95 Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for 12/31/18: $42,771.21 UT A/P Warrant to be approved for 1/2/19: $ 127,960.19
Public Comment –
Doug Dunbar, citizen of Hermon, spoke that there has been one book drive with another one on the way. Doug also requested if we know anybody with self-help books on addiction or recovery that are soft cover? Please provide these to the jail as they are in need.
Andy Davis the social worker at the jail will gladly accept volunteers with experience.
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing 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 Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins and Chris Lavoie. Session ended at 10:15 a.m. No votes taken. Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:16 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) Contract Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Sheriff Troy Morton and Treasurer John Hiatt. Session ended at 11:42 a.m. No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 11:43 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E) Contract Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins and Treasurer John Hiatt. Session ended at 12:20 p.m.
Commissioner Andre Cushing made a motion to approve new hires to participate in the VOYA deferred compensation program from Date of hire but the County would not match their compensation until completion of their probationary period. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3 – 0.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:23 p.m. with no further business on the agenda. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Moved to approve passed 3-0.
Certified By: Administrator, William Collins Peter K. Baldacci, Chairman
Laura J. Sanborn, CommissionerAndre E. Cushing, III, Commissioner
