A problem with a Ford hybrid police cruiser is another in a series of vehicle problems plaguing Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. On March 5, Sheriff Todd Brackett described the latest problem with the hybrid cruisers. “We had to replace the wiring in the harness at a cost of $4,400. Ford took care of other cruiser problems, but this one is no longer under warranty. If this hadn’t been a repetitive occurrence, I probably wouldn’t have mentioned it at all,” he said.  

Brackett reported the hybrids have saved money on fuel, but if problems persist, he may consider purchasing gasoline-powered cruisers in the future.

In other action, commissioners awarded the annual county vehicle maintenance contract to Hillside Collision Center in Waldoboro. Hillside was one of two bidders. Wiscasset Ford was the other. Brackett recommended Hillside due to the department’s familiarity with their work. “They are well-known to us, plus they were significantly cheaper. Hillside also has their own towing service and Wiscasset Ford doesn’t,” he said. 

The sheriff’s department also received approval to spend $3,900 from a Fiscal Year 21 Homeland Security Grant to purchase a 6-foot by 14-foot aluminum cargo trailer. Brackett told commissioners the trailer would transport the department’s all-terrain vehicle and other equipment.

Commissioners approved training travel for two sheriff’s department and one district attorney’s office employee. Deputy Ethan Burns will travel to Florida from April 1 to April 12 for the second part of his accident reconstruction school training. This is a three-part training course. The first was online training. The third leg will take place later this year in Connecticut. The Florida training costs $3,691 which includes coursework, round-trip flight, hotel and a per diem. “The training details accident reconstruction involving serious collisions and fatalities which may end up in prosecutions,” Brackett said. “This is a specialized course with six weeks of training.”

Det. Matthew Ryan and Lincoln County Victims Witness Advocate Abriana DeLena will attend domestic violence training in Dallas, Texas. A Stop Violence Against Women’s Grant sponsored by the Maine Prosecutor’s Association pays for their training. The event begins May 19 and ends May 23. 

Commissioners approved the department receiving a federal Traffic Incident Managment System gift for a drone and accompanying software. Brackett told commissioners a drone would enhance their current program to reconstruct and map accident scenes in a more efficient manner. “We are already participating in this program, and I’m asking you to accept this fairly significant gift to the county,” he said.

Commissioners voted, 2-0, to accept the TIMS gift. Commissioners also approved animal control officers’ contract renewals with Boothbay Harbor and Wiscasset.

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 19.