Jason Lorrain of Boothbay is the new Lincoln County maintenance department supervisor. On June 20, commissioners voted 2-0 to hire the former Boothbay code enforcement officer.

“His work as a code enforcement officer and owning his own landscaping business make him well-qualified for the position,” County Administrator Carrie Kipfer said in her recommendation. Lorrain starts June 28. 

Commissioners are also making a change in the maintenance department’s custodian job. Commissioners approved changing the job description to maintenance department technician which includes a jump in pay grade from level 5 to 9. “The custodian stepped into the role of interim maintenance supervisor resulting in doing more work than the job description required. So, I’m proposing to re-grade the position to one more in line with the current duties,” Kipfer said. 

In other action, commissioners reviewed the 2022 audit report. RHR Smith & Company gave the county high marks for its financial record-keeping. Auditor Ron Smith reported the county was in “great financial shape” due to $3.6 million in the unassigned balance fund, $5.3 million remaining in American Rescue Plan Act funds and $4.3 million remaining in other accounts.

The sheriff’s office building may not be in as good shape. Commissioners accepted a $112,665 bid from Gale Associates of Portland to do a structural assessment of the 18-year-old building. Gale will examine the building’s structural integrity, soil samples, and heating ventilation and air conditioning system. On June 6, Gale was the only bidder responding to a request for proposals. After reviewing the proposal, Kipfer recommended accepting it. “I’ve read it cover to cover and I have no concerns,” she said. “It’s comprehensive, and they have strong credentials with partners who have worked for us in the past. This should give us a strong idea of the building’s condition along with its limitations.”

Commissioners approved $22,500 in emergency funds for Lincoln County Historical Association which is housed in the former county jail. LCHA is seeking financial help due to 11 cracks in the granite resulting in closing the second floor to visitors. “I recommended the society seek emergency funding now instead of waiting until January,” Kipfer said. “The repairs consist of installing strapping and anchor systems utilizing steel straps to stabilize the granite. This will enable the jail to reopen.”

Commissioners also approved $34,729 to replace the courthouse’s outdated fire alarm system. The county planned on replacing it later this year, but recent system failures required a plan change. "There was a major failure within the system causing it to go off every two minutes. It would contact the communication center who would contact the fire department,” Kipfer said.

Commissioners approved buying a generator for the alternate dispatch location. Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission’s building was chosen as an alternate site for the communications center, but a problem arose during an inspection. County officials discovered the building did not have an emergency power back-up. The new generator is a 20 Kw Kohler model costing $13,897. Kipfer reported Homeland Security funds could pay for it.

Commissioners hired a new deputy Emergency Management Agency director and accepted the resignation of an emergency dispatcher trainee. Emily Huber of Jefferson is the new deputy EMA director. Nicholas Rioux resigned as a emergency dispatcher trainee. “He found an opportunity with a better work/life balance,” Communications Director Tara Doe said.

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 5 in the courthouse.