By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Paul Adams will continue as chairman of the Aroostook County Commissioners following his re-election to that post Jan. 4 during the commissioners’ first meeting of the new year. Adams, who took office in 1987 as a county commissioner, is in his sixth term which expires Dec. 31, 2014.
Staff photo/Elna Seabrooks
Aroostook County Commissioner Paul Adams of Houlton, seated, will remain chairman of the panel following a vote Jan. 4 by fellow commissioners, from left, Paul Underwood of Presque Isle and Norman Fournier of Wallagrass.
Other decisions
The commissioners appointed Elaine Boulier, Fort Street Elementary School principal, to the Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) board. Boulier, also the Mars Hill school’s curriculum coordinator and literacy specialist, told the Pioneer Times that she expects her new responsibilities to be “a great experience because of the school’s successful partnership with Head Start. It will be a good means to learn more about ACAP and a good way to make more informed decisions regarding programs at Fort St. School.”
The commissioners also voted and approved the appointment of Andrew Bouchard as Sinclair Sanitary District Trustee to complete the term previously filled by Walter Fournier who died Dec. 3. His appointment expires Oct. 31, 2011.
Upon recommendation of County Administrator Doug Beaulieu, the commissioners tabled a motion to approve a five-year contract enabling the town of Patten to provide ambulance service for the unorganized townships of Benedicta and Silver Ridge for $3,368 and $1,632 respectively, each year.
Beaulieu stated that he did not foresee any problems in the basic agreement. However, after reviewing the contract with Public Works Director Paul Bernier, he said they “noted that there was no provision in the contract to opt-out of it in case there are problems.”
Beaulieu added that Bernier would contact the town manager in Patten to look into language allowing either party to opt-out with a 90-day notice. He said such language “is customary.” The issue will be on the agenda for the next commissioners’ meeting in Ft. Kent, Wednesday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m.
In his County Administrator’s Report, Beaulieu stated that Yankee Equipment Systems will deliver, install and set up the commercial washer and extractor for the county jail. Beaulieu stated that the company’s low bid of $3,495 won the job for which the county had budgeted up to $5,000.
Broadband challenge
Beaulieu also stated that FairPoint Communications will go before the ConnectME Authority on Jan. 19 to appeal a $171,500 bid awarded to Time Warner for installation of broadband access lines to Sinclair.
And, prior to going into executive session, the commissioners voted to approve the jail budget as presented and send it the Board of Corrections. The FY ‘12 and FY ‘13 budgets of $3,226,515 and $3,334,618 respectively, are each at annual increases of 3.4 percent.
