Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency Director Maury Prentiss received approval April 2 to seek additional federal funding resources regarding mitigation efforts for two January storms. Prentiss previously sought a federal Building Resilient Infrastructure Community (BRIC) grant to assist with projects in the storm’s aftermath, but he learned through a letter Lincoln County wasn’t selected.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issues BRIC grants to states and communities recovering from natural disasters and hazards. Prentiss told commissioners he sought a BRIC grant for additional payroll needs created by the natural disaster. Prentiss will now seek other grant opportunities to fund the work. “We need funding for additional hazard mitigation work caused by the storms. There is supplemental work as we bring in more volunteers who need a stipend or paying for additional mapping and GIS (geographic information system) work,” he said.

Prentiss also reported FEMA officials have arrived in Lincoln County reviewing Jan. 10 and 13 storm damage. He estimated five to six FEMA teams were inspecting damaged locations and setting up temporary reporting locations at Central Lincoln County YMCA in Damariscotta and Louis Doe Home Center in Newcastle. Prentiss said FEMA’s focus was relief for primary homeowners. “They were going door-to-door in Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor today (April 2) meeting with individual homeowners,” he said. “I don’t know how the funding works, but it seems the focus is property damage for primary residences. FEMA will likely only cover belongings (furniture, appliances) for secondary homes.” 

Prentiss said May 20 is the deadline for seeking FEMA financial assistance. 

In other action, commissioners approved a contract extension between Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission and its regional partners in the state’s community resilience partnership. Since April 2022, the commission has worked with Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission and Greater Portland Council of Governments as regional coordinators assisting communities in seeking state grants. Commissioners extended the agreement for another five months.

Commissioners approved LCRPC to seek a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Coastal Resilience Fund grant. Executive Director Emily Rabbe told commissioners LCRPC doesn’t have a specific project in mind, but is exploring a partnership with the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission to assist local communities with sea-level rise preparation. She identified a pilot project as a possible grant option. “We’d look at different things like extending setbacks from 100 to 200 feet from the water, planting more vegetation and moving buildings farther back,” she said. “We want to open the doors of retreat options or at least start the conversation.” 

The NFWFCRF deadline is April 10. 

Commissioners approved a second year of American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Boothbay Region Clean Drinking Water Initiative. Last year, commissioners approved a $195,000 grant for three years. The grant is paid in $65,000 annual installments. The county requires an annual BRCDWI report prior to receiving grant monies. Commissioners approved $9,992.23 for purchasing seven new Dell computers for three county departments. Commissioners also approved a $48,000 ARPA affordable housing grant to a Newcastle project. The apartment complex will have two buildings with eight units each, according to Kipfer.

The property owner is 116 Mills Road, LLC. Kipfer identified the developer as Rob Nelson.

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 16 in the courthouse.