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Adjustments to the Agenda:

MOTION: to add the signing of the UT Animal Control Contract under item 10-a. (Lawson/Joy 2-0, motion passed)

• Dr. Richard Dimond, Chairman of the Adult Drug Treatment Court, explained that the program formerly known as the Hancock County Deferred Sentencing Project became Maine’s sixth Adult Drug Treatment Court as of July 1, 2008. He said that he has been asked by Justice Cuddy to request that the county commissioners continue its partnership with the HCDSP Steering Committee so that the latter may continue to do business as the HCADTC Steering Committee, providing local community support of the HCADTC.

• This request provides no physical support other than continuing to provide office space and to continue its support as a fiscal agent.

MOTION: to continue to provide commissioner support of the HCDSP Steering Committee, now known as the HCADTC Steering Committee, by continuing to provide office space and by participating on the steering committee. (Lawson/Joy 2-0, motion passed)

COMMISSIONERS:

MOTION: to approve the minutes of the December 29 and 30, 2008 commissioners special meetings, as corrected. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY:

• Director Pinkham stated that a report of the activities of the Emergency Management Agency is submitted to the commissioners on a monthly basis.
• Director Pinkham stated that the Violence in Schools Seminar held at the Holiday Inn on January 15th was a success. The HCEMA initiated the seminar that focused on an incident at a Stockton Springs school.
• Commissioner Lawson inquired about grant preparation within the EMA office. Over $240,000.00 in grants has come or is coming into Hancock County through the efforts of the EMA office.
• The EMA office is still waiting for information from the vendor regarding panic buttons for the DA’s office.

AIRPORT:

• Airport Manager Cossette explained the reason for requesting funds for security officer coverage at the airport.

MOTION: to accept the MEMA Security Grant of up to $5,000.00, and authorize the chairman to sign the agreement. (Lawson/Joy 2-0, motion passed)

• Airport Manager Cossette requested approval to hire a consultant to develop specifications to replace the roof of the terminal building. Walter Barschdorf of Independent Roof Systems has been contacted regarding the airport terminal roof issues. He suggested re-roofing the building and to insulate it to R-30.

MOTION: to hire Mr. Barschdorf, at a price not to exceed $7,000.00, as a consultant in developing the specifications to replace the roof on the terminal building. This amount will include developing the specifications for the project, inspecting the work as it is being done and inspecting the final product. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

Discussion: Commissioner Joy suggested hiring Mr. Barschdorf quickly, keeping in mind the new president’s proposed stimulus package. Airport Manager Cossette stated that companies have to comply with the Made in America clause, only when using FAA funds.

MOTION: to accept the MeDOT grant for AIP 26, used toward the purchase of the ARFF vehicle and tooling, the county portion being $11,250.00, and authorize the commissioners to sign the acceptance. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

MOTION: to authorize an appraisal by Webersinn Appraisal, at a cost of $3,850.00, of land for sale at the end of the runway 22-safety area. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

Commissioner Joy asked if this request had been put out to bid. The answer was yes.

Commissioner Joy asked if the Airport Manager has heard from Colgan Air regarding scheduling changes. Colgan Air has not addressed the proposed schedule change letter submitted by the airport manager and county commissioners.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY:

• District Attorney Michael Povich informed the commissioners that he has received a quote from CBE Technologies for the purchase of two computers. Unfortunately, the price was unexpectedly high.
• A new quote is forthcoming from CBE that excludes unnecessary items listed in the original quote. DA Povich is also soliciting quotes from other vendors.
• Commissioner Lawson felt the memory and storage in the CBE quote was inadequate.
• District Attorney Povich highlighted on DA Central IT services with the commissioners. He asked if IT funds from the DA’s office could be rolled over into FY09. Commissioner Lawson explained that the Treasurers Office would be requesting carry-forward requests from department heads, in the near future.
• Commissioner Lawson stated that Washington County should be contributing to the cost of the annual IT contract.

TREASURER:

MOTION: to approve Payroll Warrants #08-39, #08-50, #08-50A, #08-51 and #08-52 in the amount of $219,935.76. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

MOTION: to approve Expense Warrants #008-038, #008-039 and #008-040 in the amount of $607,887.34. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

MOTION: to approve Unorganized Township Warrant #6 in the amount of $18,605.04. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

• Deputy Treasurer Atwater stated she was not sure what she was suppose to do with reserve accounts for the end of the year. Commissioner Lawson would like to have them identified per department. Deputy Treasurer Atwater would like to discuss this with the auditor at their visit on February 9th. It was explained that the former treasurer would transfer reserves from their accounts to active accounts at the end of the year and then return them back to their previous accounts. Deputy Treasurer Atwater stated she is uncomfortable doing this as she has not done this before. She will report her findings regarding carry forwards and reserve accounts during the March meeting.

MAINTENANCE:

• Facilities Director Davis requested direction regarding the fuel oil bid process. He explained that ironically, Maine Power Options gave a different price for smaller oil tanks verses the larger ones, which turned out to be considerably higher. He felt it was more efficient to bid the cost of oil as a package verses utilizing Maine Power Options. The commissioners agreed with his request to go back to the former approved bid process.

• According to Director Davis, there are no discernable spikes in electricity usage due to the use of electric floor heaters. He explained that spikes usually occur, due to the use of chillers, during the summer. All portable heaters have been inspected for safety.

• Director Davis was unsure as to which department owned the large shredder housed in the basement hallway. He reported that it is broken beyond repair and the cost of replacement is between three and four thousand dollars.
• Commissioner Lawson stated the shredder should be replaced.

MOTION: to approve the purchase of a shredder, to be funded from the technology reserve account. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

• Director Davis stated he has been looking at halotron fire extinguishers; these are designed specifically for computer equipment. The cost of said extinguishers are approximately $409.00. Traditional dry fire extinguishers freeze computers and ruin them. The recharge of said extinguisher is approximately $180.00.

MOTION: to authorize the Facilities Director to purchase of a halotron fire extinguisher. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

• Director Davis questioned the legal authority of the county to tow vehicles. According to Attorney Michael Friedman, the commissioners, as overseers of county property, have the right to tow any vehicle.
• Commissioner Lawson stated a policy should be in place prior to towing. This policy should include a procedure stating who is going to place the warning on vehicles. She suggested meeting with the department heads after the policy is written to apprise them of the new policy.
• Commissioner Lawson suggested eliminating the towing of vehicles and suggested assessing a fine instead. Commissioner Joy stated a fine is not necessarily a deterrent.
• Commissioner Joy agreed with the creation of a written policy being in place and apprising department heads of the change prior to implementation.

MOTION: move to create a parking policy for the county campus. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

RCC/9-1-1:

MOTION: to reaffirm the hire of Michelle L. Clement of Stockton Springs as a part-time dispatcher, effective January 10, 2009 at the rate of $12.00 per hour. (Lawson/Joy 2-0, motion passed)

SHERIFF:

• The December 2008 jail board report was distributed prior to the meeting.

11:00: Recess

11:05: Back in session

REGISTRY OF DEEDS:

• Register Curtis explained, in detail, her monthly Transaction Summary Report for the period of 1/1/2008 to 12/31/2008. She explained that transfer tax is down. She reported sales are down considerably but a large sale was transacted last week.
• Registry employees are currently working on plan files and indexing.
• Internet copy fees, currently included under copy fees, will be broken out by the end of January.
• Refinancing is anticipated to increase in the near future.
• Commissioner Joy asked if figures from January 08 vs. 09 would be comparable. The answer was no. FY09 should be slightly down.

COUNTY CLERK:

• The clerk presented the commissioners with three different contract renewals from CBE Technologies. District Attorney Michael Povich felt CBE should come to Hancock County and make a presentation to clarify their services.
• Commissioner Lawson agreed and requested the clerk ask CBE to attend the February 3rd meeting and to postpone the signing of the contracts until that time.

NEW BUSINESS:

MOTION: approval of UT Animal Control Contract awarded to the Small Animal Clinic located in Ellsworth. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

11:40 a.m.: Break for inauguration, return at 12:45 p.m.

1:00 p.m.: Back in session.

1:00 p.m.: RCC Director Interviews

MOTION: to go into executive session to conduct RCC Director interviews. (Joy/Lawson 2-0, motion passed)

3:00 p.m.

MOTION: to come out of executive session. (Lawson/Joy 2-0, motion passed)

3:01 p.m.

MOTION: to adjourn. (Lawson/Joy 2-0, motion passed)