Another Lincoln County deputy sheriff has left the department. Sheriff Todd Brackett announced Sept. 7, Deputy David Bellows submitted his resignation. Bellows has been on administrative leave since December. Brackett explained why Bellows decided to resign during the county commissioners’ meeting.

“David was involved in a shooting incident and has made the painful decision not to return to law enforcement. He wants to move on to other things. He was an outstanding deputy and we wish him the best,” Brackett said.

The department was already short-handed. Brackett reported his department has four vacancies. 

The sheriff also received commissioners’ approval to buy and install patrol vehicle equipment. Commissioners approved $8,769. 99 for equipping a new cruiser with lights, sirens, cages and rifle mounts. Brackett also received approval for selling a high-mileage vehicle which a new one is replacing. Brackett will seek bids for the aging cruiser. Commissioners also approved one-year animal control contracts with Alna, Dresden and Somerville.

The sheriff’s department is using a federal grant for monitoring underage drinking. Commissioners approved using $1,400 from an Enforcement Underage Drinking Law grant for compliance checks. Dirigo Safety of Lewiston administers the grant which funds local law enforcement compliance checks and educating bars, restaurants and convenience stores about underage drinking laws.

In other action, commissioners approved buying four computers for their Zetron Max-D radio dispatch system. The cost is $11,028. Commissioners also approved a five-year service agreement with Zetron for $8,750. Since the county opted for a five-year deal, Zetron will discount the deal by 10%, according to County Administrator Carrie Kipfer.

Commissioners approved a change to the county administrative assistant’s job description. Kipfer reported the description now allows for the assistant to work with both the county administrator and county emergency management agency.

Commissioners approved a fuel contract with M.W. Sewall of Bath for $2.12 per gallon. Commissioners also joined three other entities involved with Wiscasset Regional Development Corporation, calling for the organization’s dissolution. The corporation was formed nearly 20 years ago by Lincoln County, Wiscasset, Chewonki Foundation and Coastal Enterprises, Inc. to use federal funds for developing an economic plan following Maine Yankee’s closure.

Kipfer reported the plan was finished 10 years ago. “It has been dormant since but a report is filed every year. All four have agreed to dissolve the corporation and we are looking for a formal vote to move forward with legal counsel,” she said.

The commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21 in the county courthouse.