Penobscot County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes for January 8, 2019
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Penobscot County Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes January 8, 2019 2221 9:00 AM Commissioners Peter Baldacci, Laura Sanborn & Andre Cushing 16°
Approval of Minutes -
Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to approve November 27th, 2018 meeting minutes. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3-0.
UT Update –
Barbara Veilleux reported that she received confirmation that the plow truck inspection has been completed. The contractor is now up to date and has been paid.
George Buswell reported on the salt/sand survey from the six sheds he visited. The inventory is lower this year than last year at this time. George recommended that the Prentiss shed needs additional salt/sand at this time. Commissioner Sanborn made a motion to purchase two loads of salt and another 1,200 yards of sand with the estimated cost of $18K. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0
George reports that they have received a few complaints about the plowing of Gantnier and Lawler Roads in Herseytown. Barbara reached out to Aroostook County UT Administrator who has spoken to the contractor.
The TIF grant application from the Bowlin Matagamon Snowmobile Club has been forwarded to the TIF committee.
Barbara will be attending the public hearing put on by LUPC on the proposed adjacency rule changes at Jeff’s Catering Thursday.
DA Update –
Administrative Assistant Kristine Higgins reported that the transition in the office is going well. A financial order has been signed to hire Mercedes Guerney as an Assistant District Attorney.
Kristine presented for signature a criminal forfeiture funds for the DA’s Office.
o State vs McLaughlin in the amount of $366
Commissioner Sanborn moved to approve receipt of these funds. Commissioner Cushing seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Signed.
Kristine states that there is a balance of $2,300 in the forfeiture funds account currently. DA Lynch is requesting approximately $800 to purchase books, badges and jackets.
Commissioner Cushing moved to approve the purchases from the forfeiture funds account. Commissioner Cushing is asking that any purchase request going forward be in writing. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0. Probate Update –
Renee Stupak reported that her office is fully staffed. The new hire Becky Woodard is training.
Renee states that Judge Faircloth’s first week was last week. The Judge is working two days and is very flexible in adding additional time to get caught up on cases.
There was discussion regarding security on court days. Current practice is when a case has been disclosed as “emotional”, Sheriff’s Office has been brought in to be available. Since this is a public building, it would be difficult to screen all incoming traffic that are going to other offices in the building. Bill Collins noted we have the new HAN system in place as a new tool that can be used for security notices. Commissioner Baldacci says that we should review plans of actions so that people will know how to respond. Barbara Veilleux commented we do have a panic alarm system in place that employees can use if necessary. These alarms ring into both dispatch and Bangor PD at the same time. It shows who used the panic button, where they are located – floor/office.
Deed’s Update -
Susan Bulay is requesting permission to hire a third full-time clerical specialist from the budgeted funds. Currently there are two full time clerical specialists along with herself and deputy. This department always had three clerical specialists until 2014 when one retired. Susan is finding that when there is a call out or vacation, the work needed stretched thin. Susan in the past has pieced temporary replacements, but has found that investing in training a new person every six months is not working out for the long term.
Administrative Update –
Bill Collins and Commissioner Baldacci will be in Augusta tomorrow for the MCCA meeting. Commissioner Baldacci states he was part of a conference call for the officers and reports that Tom Coward would like to remain as President, Amy Fowler will continue as Vice-President, Bill Blodgett would like to be back on as secretary/treasurer.
Commissioner Cushing and John Hiatt will attend the Chamber Breakfast at the Cross Center tomorrow.
Reminder that Rudman-Winchell will be conducting a Sexual Harassment training here in the Commissioner’s Room on January 31st. Currently have 40 people signed up for this event. Piscataquis County will be sending four people to attend. Sheriff updated Bill that the current population in house in the jail is 199 with 38 being boarded out. There are 80 in Maine pre-trial services. Sheriff is trying to move additional inmates out. Unfortunately, most of the counties that help us out have no beds available with exception of Cumberland.
Sheriff also is requesting that we go out to bid now for patrol vehicles. The price of vehicles is going up to as much as $ 7K because the federal subsidy has gone away. Instead of purchasing seven (7) vehicles they will now purchase six (6). Commissioner Baldacci feels that since the monies are budgeted he sees no reason to wait. Commissioner Cushing made a motion for the Sheriff’s Office to put out to bid six (6) vehicles. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.
The Chamber will also be holding their Annual Supper meeting on Friday, January 25th. Commissioners Sanborn and Cushing along with John Hiatt will be attending.
Building Committee will be invited to come in next week and discuss what the next steps to take are. We are expanding the committee to include Jim Ricker and Dan Tremble. Commissioner Sanborn will add a member from Lincoln too.
Bill has confirmed the Women’s Re-entry facility that is located in Windham with 110 beds was built for approximately $10 M. Although re-entry facilities don’t need the same level of security, this is something that perhaps can be looked at and discussed.
Our new Commissioner of Corrections Randall Liberty has contacted Sheriff Morton.
Bill provided a breakdown of aerial photography costs and payment schedule from Claire Kiedrowski to the Commissioners. Commissioner Cushing made a motion authorizing Bill to negotiate terms for the Maine Orthoimagery Program. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Motion moved 3-0.
Erika Honey, the new Human Resource Director will start Tuesday, January 22nd.
Commissioners will have their County Picture taken next Tuesday.
Payroll change notices: Dalton Dunnells – Hired Part-time; Amy Faircloth and John Hiatt – Hired Elected Official; Merrill Ray Bradford, Jr., Daniel Tremble, Keith Hotaling - Payroll Changes; Tyler Thompson – Comp Time.
Payroll Warrant to be approved for: $ 254,327.13 Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: FY 2019 - 1/3/19 $ 298,326.12 Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: FY 2019 - 1/8/19 $ 90,873.00 Accounts Payable Warrant to be approved for: FY 2018 - 1/8/19 $ 47,476.74 UT A/P Warrant to be approved for : - NONE - Public Comment –
Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News, informed the Commissioners that there is going to be article written on Brandi, the Probate dog as a human interest piece.
Doug Dunbar, citizen of Hermon, revisited the midnight release of inmates. Doug states that the media is looking into this practice. Doug has been given a resource pamphlet that he would like to make sure that inmates have the opportunity to receive. Doug also contacted Andy Davis the social worker at the jail. He will gladly accept any volunteers with experience to help out in the jail. Doug states that there is an old classroom being used to house inmates. Commissioner Baldacci understands that it is not the best circumstance to live in those quarters, but given the over crowdedness in the jail there is no choice.
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:23 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins, Barbara Veilleux and George Buswell. Session ended at 10:47 a.m. No votes taken.
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:48 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (A) Contract Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins. Session ended at 10:54 a.m. Commissioner Cushing made a motion to approve an emergency withdrawal from the Deferred Compensation plan for a County employee. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve passed 3 – 0.
Executive Session---Commissioner Cushing made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:55 a.m., under 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D) Contract Matter. Commissioner Sanborn seconded the motion. Vote to approve 3-0. Present were: Bill Collins and Renee Stupak. Session ended at 11:10 a.m. No votes taken.
Meeting Adjourned-
Commissioner Sanborn moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:13 a.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, Commissioner Andre E. Cushing, III, Commissioner
