May showers could bring over $100,000 in storm damage aid this summer to Lincoln County. On May 1, torrential rainfall created emergency conditions around Lincoln County and the entire state. On June 6, County Emergency Management Agency Director Maury Prentiss reported four towns received the brunt of storm damage which dumped as much as 10 inches of rain in a six-hour span. On June 5, Prentiss accompanied a Maine Emergency Managment Agency team surveying Lincoln County damage.

Prentiss told commissioners during the June 6 meeting, the team looked at four sites in Edgecomb, three in Newcastle, one in Waldoboro and five in Somerville. Lincoln County could receive federal assistance if damage totals over $156,452 and Maine accrues more than $2.4 million.  “It looks very promising to reach both thresholds,” Prentiss said. “There were a lot of washouts which included a culvert in Edgecomb found a thousand yards in the woods.”

Prentiss expects an August decision from the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding storm assistance.

In other action, County Administrator Carrie Kipfer updated commissioners on the $200,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant allocated to Boothbay Harbor Sewer District, one of four sewer districts receiving a county $200,000 grant. Boothbay Harbor Sewer District is constructing a $4.7 million seawall around the facility for protection against sea level rise. The $200,000 grant assists in paying $270,000 in engineering costs. 

The district provides commissioners regular reports on its ARPA-funded project. Kipfer told commissioners the district has spent $107,037 from the grant. “They are diligently working through this. The funding spent this period was used for preliminary engineering and environmental review work. It’s been a year and a half, and they are thorough with the information provided,” she said. “Reviews with CMP and other utilities continue along with ongoing permitting. The district is also continuing outreach with abutters with project updates.”

The county sent out a request for proposals for assessing the sheriff’s building’s site and structural integrity. Gale Associates of Portland sent the only response with a $112,650 bid. The request sought bids for reviewing the 18-year-old building’s structural integrity, site soil samples, hazardous materials assessment, and current heating, ventilation and air condition system. Commissioners voted, 2-0, to table the bid so the proposal could be further examined. Kipfer reported Gale Associates has provided structural assessments for Augusta Police Department and Riverview Psychiatric Center.

The sheriff’s department received authorization to use grant funds to buy 13 entry-tool kits costing $7,453. Sheriff Todd Brackett described the tool as a “fancy crow bar” six feet long, weighing six pounds with a large hammer on the end. Brackett wants to place one in each cruiser. “This will help us gain entry during a crisis such as a school shooting and we need to gain entry through a locked door,” he said. 

The entry-toolkits will also be available to local police departments in Lincoln County, Brackett said.

Commissioners also approved a purchase agreement with Central Square software. Communications Director Tara Doe said the current software is “being phased out” and Central Square is offering the new format at a “significant discount.” Commissioners approved $585,319 for the communications center software upgrade. 

Commissioners approved $11,000 for a partial courthouse roof repair. Following a May storm, several shingles were found on the lawn. The county has contracted with Superior Roofing of Portland to fix a portion of the courthouse roof facing U.S. Route 1.

Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Mary Ellen Barnes announced she would retire at the calendar year’s end. She has served in her job since 2013. “It’s a good time because there are so many talented people on the staff,” she said. “It’s a time for Lincoln County to engage a new generation of leadership, but I would like to remain in a different capacity.”

Barnes proposed she could continue post-retirement working on broadband and economic development projects. Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 5 in the courthouse.