Aroostook County Jail scores high marks in state report

By MaryMargaret Potera
Special to the Houlton Pioneer Times
    CARIBOU, Maine — The County Commissioners met June 15 in Caribou to discuss matters including the auctioning off of two surplus vehicles, federal funds, and an award issued to the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
    After the call to order, the approvals of the agenda and minutes from the June 1 meeting, and attendance was recorded, Bids on a 2004 Ford Explorer and a 2006 Ford Taurus were discussed. Eight bids were submitted concerning the two cars, and seven were honored, as one was submitted past deadline. It was decided by the committee that each of the vehicles be awarded to the highest bidder. David Belyea of Houlton was the highest bidder on the 2004 Ford Explorer with a bid of $1,682; Raymond Sommers of Patten was the highest bidder on the 2006 Ford Taurus with a bid of $2,054.50.
Commissioners next discussed this year’s Jail Biennium Inspection Report, which reviewed with the assistance of Sheriff James Madore. The inspection scored a total 95.3 out of 100. Sheriff Madore said problems revealed in the report were minor and action was immediately being taken to have all issues resolved. Note was also made of the inspection’s finding that staff and inmates shared good relationships and cleanliness of the jail was excellent.
Next on the agenda were three bills currently going through the legislature. The first was a bill worked on by Aroostook County District Attorney Todd Collins, but was not passed. The other two are awaiting the governor’s approval — one is expected to be approved, and the other is expected to be vetoed.
Federal funds from 2010 were also discussed in the meeting. The Board of Corrections met earlier in the day of the commissioners’ meeting, and unanimously approved $75,000 for use in the county. While this is $45,000 more than what was awarded in 2010, the committee had asked to be awarded $107,000 to be able to continue with the current levels of services and staffing. They plan to determine if savings are available to cover costs the $75,000 budget will not cover.
Other items discussed at the meeting included the announcement that the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office was recognized for their assistance in a triple homicide that occurred in June of 2010. Next was the news that a Haz-mat vehicle has recently been acquired by the County.
The Board of Corrections also won an award for their collaborative criminal justices and pretrial program. This is a program that not only helps to keep jails in the county under populated, but saves taxpayer money from needing to be used for transportation through the use of video arraignment.
The commissioners then went into a short executive session to discuss labor negotiation. With no announcements to make following the session, the meeting was adjourned.
The meeting scheduled for July 6 has been cancelled in observation of the holiday. The next meeting of the Aroostook County Commissioners will be held on Wednesday, July 20, at 5:30 p.m. in Fort Kent.