The Lincoln County Courthouse parking lot in Wiscasset is getting a new retaining wall. For years, the current wall has need maintenance, but county officials couldn’t find a contractor interested in the project. Last year, County Administrator Carrie Kipfer invited six contractors to look at the crumbling wall that has concrete blocks being pushed out by a poor drainage system. No contractors were interested until this spring. 

On June 18, commissioners unanimously approved the $60,900 proposal submitted by Dale Reno Construction of Woolwich to replace the 56-foot wall. Kipfer told commissioners Reno had a good track record with the county, having installed a sallyport at the recycling center. Kipfer explained Reno’s project proposal for removing and replacing  the 56-foot retaining wall located between the upper and lower parking lot. “Remove asphalt from parking spaces immediately in front of the wall. Remove the existing concrete blocks. Remove the tree stump and the dirt. Put up a four-foot frost wall, and add drainage so it drains under the wall,” she said. “Have a poured concrete wall installed. Backfill, all of it, and re-asphalt all the spots dug up. It’s a pretty substantial project. This is a permanent replacement.”

In other action, commissioners approved renewing the Eventide Recorder annual subscription for $3,250. Eventide is the system which supports recording 911 emergency dispatch calls. Commissioners also approved two requests for the recycling center. A bailing wire purchase order was approved for $9,145.97 from New England Bailing Wire in Brockton, Massachusetts. A new internet phone system is being installed at the recycling center. Commissioners approved $2,995 for the installation.

Commissioners approved $16,804 to equip a new K-9 vehicle for the sheriff’s department. Lt. Mike Murphy told commissioners this purchase is a “little more expensive than usual” because the new vehicle is a Chevrolet. “We couldn’t just take the old equipment and put it in the new vehicle,” he said. “A Chevy is a little bigger so we needed all new equipment.” Commissioners also approved a shellfish renewal contract with Newcastle and Damariscotta.

Commissioners received an invoice from the town of Palermo for Hibberts Gore road maintenance. The board approved $2,760 paid for road improvements. Later, commissioners entered into an executive session to discuss a legal matter. Kipfer reported no action was taken following the session. 

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 2 in the courthouse.