Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department is looking to return confiscated items to their original owner or sell them in an auction.

On Aug. 20, county commissioners approved allowing the department to seek the owners of 35 items currently in its storage center. Sheriff Todd Brackett told commissioners many items, including a coffee grinder, DVD players, electric heaters, knives and camouflage boots, have remained in the department’s custody for nearly four years. 

“We’re looking to follow state statute and first contact the owners so they can retrieve their items. If they don’t want them, we would like to put them out to bid,” said Brackett. Commissioners voted, 3-0, to allow the sheriff’s department to begin dispersing the surplus property.

In other action, commissioners approved a contract between Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Under the agreement, the planning commission will assist in DACF’s technical assistance in their coastal projects. The commission will assist in preparing a climate change newsletter and a sea level rise mapping project. The commission will also assist in a pilot program collaboration with Midcoast Council of Governments. Lincoln County will receive $11,070 and the contract runs from September until next June. 

Commissioners signed a contract with Consolidated Communications to provide $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. Consolidated Communications applied for a Maine Connectivity Authority grant and received $6 million to fund broadband expansion in Woolwich, Wiscasset, Dresden, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, Edgecomb, Waldoboro, Alna, Whitefield and Nobleboro. 

The grant is being matched by Consolidated Communications and municipal ARPA funds plus now $1.3 million in county ARPA monies. According to Consolidated Communications’ press release, the project would benefit 14,436 residents. The MCA grant is being matched with $24,309,864 in private and public funds. 

“This incorporates the highest percentage of financial commitment from any private-public partnership awarded through the MCA program to date,” said County Administrator Carrie Kipfer.

She added, Consolidated Communications is providing $22 million of its own money into the project and expects the project to begin soon. 

Boothbay Region Ambulance Service Chief Dan Gardner expressed gratitude to the sheriff’s department and communications center for their assistance in saving a 5-year-old Boothbay region boy’s life. The June 29 incident required assistance from the Boothbay Harbor and Boothbay fire departments, local police agencies, and county 911 communications. 

“Having been involved in an uncountable amount of cardiac arrest situations, I have been able to witness how different groups work together. I want to say that these county personnel, who stand here before me, are by far one of the best l had the privilege to work with.” Gardner said. 

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3 in the courthouse.