Lincoln County Communications can remove all of its help wanted signs. County Commissioners approved three new emergency dispatchers which brings the department to a full staff. On July 6, commissioners approved conditionally hiring Carrie White of Waldoboro, Curtis Bigelow of Florida and Richard Hasch of Boothbay. The sheriff’s department also received approval for two hirings. Sheriff Todd Brackett received approval to offer conditional employment to Ethan Burns of Nobleboro and Jason Chouinard of Clinton. Burns attends Thomas College in Waterville. He will work part-time until he graduates in December. Chouinard is a part-time Clinton Police Department officer and plans to move to Lincoln County. His start date is Aug. 1. 

“He wanted to give Clinton a month’s notice,” Brackett said. “This is good because he may be able to enter the academy’s new class which begins in August.” An official employment offer will occur once both applicants’ background checks are completed. But the sheriff’s department will have a veteran officer retiring later this month. Brackett reported Chad Gilbert is retiring July 25 after 25 years in law enforcement which includes 20 years with the sheriff’s department. Brackett requested Gilbert and Brian Collamore, a former sheriff’s department school resource officer and accident reconstruction specialist who retired in 2020, keep their service weapons. Commissioners approved the request. 

The County Emergency Management Agency also hired a new operations and training specialist. Commissioners unanimously hired Brandon Look of Jonesboro. County Administrator Carrie Kipfer reported Look would work mostly remotely and regularly attend in-person training sessions in Wiscasset. 

In other action, Brackett received unanimous approval to seek a Dirigo Safety, LLC grant for enforcing underage drinking laws. Dirigo Safety, a Lewiston-based nonprofit, is providing up to $6,000 for local law enforcement agencies to audit local stores, restaurants and bars for compliance. Commissioners also approved replacing three regular sheriff’s department ballistic vests. Brackett reported three vests had “expired” and need replacing. The three new vests cost a total of $4,237.67 and Brackett reported the Department of Justice will pay half.

Commissioners approved renewing an annual subscription to Code Red which provides text and email messages for local emergencies and disasters. The subscription costs $8,400. Kipfer reported the county EMA and sheriff’s department would cover the subscription. 

Commissioners approved two purchases for Lincoln County Recycling. They approved a $4,094.30 purchase order for eight new tires for the recycling truck. The tires are from Maine Commercial. Commissioners also entered into a year-long diesel fuel contract with Dead River Co. The recycling center will buy diesel fuel for $2.635 per gallon, up from $1.75 last year. 

With Gov. Janet Mills’ emergency declaration for COVID-19 over, commissioners are considering enacting a new remote meeting policy. Kipfer reported Aroostook County is considering letting their commissioners participate and vote remotely. Lincoln County Commissioners directed Kipfer to draft a remote policy for consideration at a future meeting. 

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 20 in the county courthouse.