Two Bridges Jail Authority has seen a sharp increase in inmates from Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties in recent weeks due to the resumption of full Superior Court dockets. On Dec. 20, Lincoln County Chief Deputy Rand Maker reported the number of local inmates rose from seven to 14. Maker presented the sheriff’s department report during the commissioners’ meeting. He also received commissioners’ approval to buy another six tracking units for the jail diversion program. 

Maker said the department has three GPS and three alcohol tracker units. The department also rents units from Securitas Security Services of Portland when more devices are needed. He asked to buy three more GPS units, at $900 apiece, and three additional alcohol monitors, at $1,000 apiece. In total, the request was for $5,700. “This will provide us more flexibility in the program, and save money,” he said. 

Maker estimated the savings would pay for the additional equipment. Maker proposed using $2,841 from a law enforcement grant and using $2,859 from the equipment budget. Commissioners agreed, and voted 2-0 in authorizing the purchase.

Commissioners also authorized annual animal control officer contracts with Boothbay Harbor, Somerville and Bristol. Maker said 16 towns are currently without an ACO contract. He plans on contacting those towns about extending agreements. Maker told commissioners he would report on the unresolved extensions in January. 

In other action, Communications Center Director Tara Doe received authorization to renew the department’s “I Am Responding” software contract. The software connects 31 local agencies to the center’s CAD (computer-assisted design) sending out notifications resulting from dispatchers’ data input. “The program sends instant notifications to agencies so they can set up their own emergency plans,” Doe said. 

Commissioners authorized an emergency dispatcher to move from full- to part-time status. Doe said Lana Ferry requested working 24 hours per week. “Working three days a week fits better into her schedule, and it also helps us to retain her,” Doe said. 

Commissioners received a letter from Edgecomb supporting the “development of varied and affordable housing” across Lincoln County. In October, Boothbay Regional Development Corp. sought Edgecomb’s support in BRDC’s proposed $5.2 million project to construct 162 affordable housing units in Boothbay. The nonprofit has a goal to secure “40% of funding from grants and 60% in donations.”

The BRDC asked Edgecomb, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport to submit support letters to the commissioners prior to applying for county funds. County Administrator Carrie Kipfer recommended commissioners consider affordable housing funding after reviewing a Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission study slated for completion in February. “In some point in time, the next steps should be considered once Camion (Associates) submits their final report. This will tell us where investments should be made and what zoning changes may be appropriate,” she said. 

Commissioners approved a fuel contract with Dead River Co. for 11,500 gallons at $3.83 per gallon. Kipfer said the agreement ends Sept. 30, 2023.

Lincoln County received a third payment in the opioid settlement. In February 2021, Maine, 47 other states, District of Columbia and five U.S. territories reached a $573 million settlement with McKinsey & Company. The settlement resolved investigations into the company’s role in working for opioid companies by helping them promote their drugs and profiting from the opioid epidemic. 

The settlement, after payment of costs, will be used to abate problems caused by opioids in the participating states. Maine will receive $3,139,915 from the multi-state settlement. Kipfer said the county recently received $27,216.35 from Janssen Distribution Services. The three settlement payments total $91,957.31, said Kipfer. The funds are in a reserve account. “We need to set up a workshop with the sheriff to decide how to spend these funds. They can only be spent on certain things so I think a brainstorming session may help us with that,” she said. 

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2 in the courthouse.