Lincoln County commissioners extended a contract between the town of Boothbay Harbor and the sheriff’s department until Oct. 1 for additional patrols. The sheriff’s department has assisted Boothbay Harbor with additional patrols under a memorandum of understanding since March 2023. 

The Boothbay Harbor police force has slowly built up its numbers over the past year, but this fall two recent hires need to attend Maine Criminal Justice Academy. The two planned temporary departures require extending the current pact expiring in mid-August. Commissioners voted, 3-0, on Aug. 6 to extend the agreement. “The bottom line is this hasn’t really impacted us at all,” said Chief Deputy Rand Maker regarding sheriff’s department staffing.“We’ve been assisting them on Friday and Saturday nights, and the only difference, now, is we may be adding a Wednesday afternoon.”

Boothbay Harbor selectmen are expected to review the extension agreement during their Aug. 12 board meeting.

In other action, commissioners presented $90,000 to local non-profit groups for opioid addiction programs. In 2023, Maine accepted terms from the National Opioid Settlements with distributors Cardinal, McKesson and Amerisource Bergen and opioid manufacturers Johnson & Johnson. This settlement is estimated to bring as much as $130 million to Maine over an 18-year period to support state and local efforts to address the opioid epidemic. Lincoln County’s share is about $1.4 million, according to County Administrator Carrie Kipfer. So far, the county has deposited about $400,000 in payments into a separate account. 

Commissioners presented four $20,000 checks to Healthy Lincoln County, Hearty Roots, Lincoln County Recovery Community Center and Healthy Kids. Studio B in Southport received a $10,000 check. Commissioners reserved $10,000 for another contribution at a future time. Kipfer expects commissioners will make future presentations every year until all the settlement money is dispersed. 

A recent housing study authorized by Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission identified a need for 900 more affordable housing units in the next 10 years. The commission has dedicated $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for affordable housing projects. In the past year, commissioners have funded projects with ARPA dollars in Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Newcastle, Damariscotta and Waldoboro. “These five projects have provided about 200 units, and now we are looking to use remaining ARPA funds toward our goal of 900,” said Emily Rabbe, LCRPC executive director.

The commission is now seeking applicants for a new project. Rabbe told commissioners about a housing project targeted for first responders and municipal employees. “There is a shortage of these workers locally, and the lack of affordable housing makes it worse,” she said. 

The commission is seeking letters of interest from municipalities who want to use ARPA funds to provide affordable housing opportunities for these workers. Under the commission’s proposal, municipalities would use town-owned property for conversion into affordable housing. The county would also provide ARPA funds for qualified projects based on property availability, location, number of units and overall plan.

Expanded broadband access is another county priority for ARPA funds. LCRPC is working with towns and Consolidated Communications in seeking expanded municipal broadband coverage. Consolidated Communications is working with Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Edgecomb, Wiscasset, Dresden, Alna, North Nobleboro and Whitefield in seeking a Maine Connectivity Authority grant. Rabbe told commissioners the MCA has $30 million remaining in ARPA funds, and Consolidated Communications is in line to receive a $6 million grant for a Lincoln County project.

Kipfer reported MCA identified six applications previously rejected and requested they re-apply. Consolidated Communications and two others reapplied. “Ours scored the highest,” Kipfer said. “The Last Mile Infrastructure executive committee is reporting their recommendation to the full MCA board which votes later this week. If approved, Consolidated Communications would begin next week with an expectation of the project concluding at the end of 2025.”

She added, Lincoln County and other towns would contribute remaining ARPA dollars committed to broadband expansion to the project and Consolidated Communications would provide any remaining funding.

Commissioners held three executive sessions: personnel, legal and real property matters. No action was taken, according to Kipfer. Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 in the courthouse.