Staff Writer
The Aroostook County Commissioners met on July 15 to discuss several items including the possible re-naming of the District Court building in Houlton. During the Fort Kent meeting, commissioners Paul Adams, Chairperson; Norman Fournier and Paul Underwood discussed a 10-article agenda.
Regarding bids received on two surplus vehicles, a 2000 Crown Victoria and a 2005 modle, the commissioners approved a motion to table the bids pending review by the County Administrator, Doug Beaulieu, with authorization to award the bids to the apparent high bidder. Four bids were made on the 2005 Crown Victoria; one bid was made on the other car.
The commissioners passed a motion to approve a solid waste agreement with two individuals for the unorganized territories of TAR3, TAR2, T3R4, T3R3, T3R2, Benedicta, Silver Ridge, T2R4, T1R5, Upper Molunkus, N. Yarmouth Academy and TAR5 (Molunkus) in the amounts of $1,739, $1,791, $1,845, $1,900 and 1,957 respectively.
During the County Administrators report, Beaulieu discussed the Municipal Cost Components Legislation, District Court witness fees, District Court renovations in Houlton, the possibility of re-naming the District Court building in Houlton, a probationary period for corrections officials, the 1862 map recently found in the office of Public Works Director Paul Bernier, the Maine Municipal Employee Health Trust (MMEHT) Health Claim Report and an update on the Board of Corrections.
Other items of interest included discussion on LD 33, a meeting regarding the District Court Lease for Houlton and an appeals letter.
Beaulieu reviewed the Municipal Cost Components Legislation with the County Commissioners, indicating that Aroostook County’s share of the component ($885,417) was authorized as requested. Beaulieu also informed the commissioners that Doreen Sheive, fiscal administrator for the Unorganized Territory, is retiring effective August 31.
Regarding the District Court witness fees, Beaulieu indicated that Aroostook County agreed to disburse money for seven of the prosecutorial districts in Maine. The commissioners expect to receive a check from the state of Maine for FY 2010.
Beaulieu informed the commissioners that the relocation project for the District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Department was estimated to cost $79,000. He was pleased to report that the project was not only completed, but under budget having cost $65,758.20. Accolades [from the commissioners] went to Bryan Jandreau, facilities manager, his staff and other County personnel who assisted in the transition.
Regarding the possible re-naming of the District Court building in Houlton, a motion was passed by the commissioner to establish a Naming Committee for the District Court Building on School Street in Houlton. The committee will bring a recommendation back to the Commissioners for consideration of the renaming of the building.
Beaulieu informed the commissioners that legislation was recently passed to require that various corrections’ positions complete and employee probationary period of one year. He also informed them that the MMEHT Health Claims Report loss rate for the first quarter is 85 percent, which Beaulieu reported was excellent, though he expects that the claims ration will worsen in the next quarter given the expected payment of some significant medical claims.
The commissioners were briefed regarding a June 24 presentation Beaulieu made to the Board of Corrections on the FY10 Corrections budget. It has been reported that the Board expressed concerns regarding the increase in personnel costs for Aroostook County; some members think that the request is unrealistic given the state’s financial situation. Beaulieu informed the commissioners that the increase in personnel costs is due to collective bargaining; it was an attempt to improve pay parity with other counties.
Aside from Aroostook corrections personnel earning less than their equivalents in other counties, Beaulieu noted that the staffing level for Aroostook Corrections personnel is lower than in other counties. Beaulieu plans to attend the August 5 Board of Corrections Meeting to defend the budget request and point out the inequity.
He expressed that the Board of Corrections needs to honor its commitment of “One-Maine, One-system,” as it has been touting repeatedly the last several months
Regarding LD 33, the commissioners decided to submit a referendum question to the legal voters in T16R4 during the upcoming November election.
On a historical note, the commissioner were informed that the Maine State Archive will not accept the 1862 Maine map, recently found in Bernier’s office, with the designation of, “on loan.” The county commissioners advised Beaulieu to check one or both universities in Aroostook County to see if they had interest in acquiring the map.
The commissioners entered into executive session, taking no action upon returning to open session.
