The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted to award a 2013 tax anticipation note of up to $6 million to Bath Savings Institution at their meeting on Dec. 18. Bath Savings bid an interest rate of 0.79 percent for the loan, on either a lump sum or as-needed basis.
Bank of Maine bid .88 percent for a lump sum or as-needed if the county holds an account with them, or 1.63 percent for a lump sum and and 1.83 percent for as-needed if the county did not hold an account.
The First bid .90 percent with an account, and .98 percent without an account; both on an as-needed basis.
Camden National Bank bid .98 percent, regardless of account status and the basis of the loan.
In other business, the commissioners approved the hiring of Officer Aaron Beck of the Damariscotta Police Department as a patrol deputy for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and to pay Damariscotta $18,000 over three years to compensate the town for his training.
Sheriff Todd Brackett said Beck is certified as a full-time officer but “we have to buy him out” from Damariscotta.
Beck had graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy two years ago, and the money the LCSO would have to pay Damariscotta are based in state statute, Brackett said.
The cost of sending someone through the full-time course is somewhere around $32-36,000, Brackett said.
The $18,000 is “a significant hit for us” under training expenses, Brackett said, when he asked the commissioners to allow the money to be expended over three years.
Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus and Chief of Police Chad Andrews told Brackett the three years of payments would be fine but they would likely have to take the issue before the selectmen, Brackett said.
This was Beck’s second time applying to the department and he “did exceptionally well in the last process,” Brackett said.
“He comes with some good knowledge” and is very familiar with the county, while the other two candidates being considered were from out of state, said Commissioner Lynn Martin.
The hiring of Beck is conditional on successful completion of a background check and polygraph, Brackett said.
The commissioners approved the promotion of LCSO Deputy Scott Hayden to Detective.
Hayden is currently a patrol deputy and a K-9 handler with the department. Brackett said the promotion would have to wait until January because he currently can’t spare any people from the patrol division.
Brackett said he wants to keep the K-9 resource going, so his goal is to transfer Hayden’s dog to another handler, and several people have already expressed interest in taking it over.
The commissioners approved an expenditure of $3365 for the purchase of 16 external Kevlar vest carriers for the LCSO.
The purchase helps extend the life of the vests since perspiration can degrade the Kevlar and the carriers will allow them to be worn outside one’s clothing, said Brackett.
The funds for the carriers were included in the department’s budget, Brackett said.
The commissioners approved an expenditure of $3770.88 for the purchase of new office furniture for the office staff at the LCSO. The department had also received a grant of $3286 from the Maine Municipal Association for use in purchasing the equipment.
Commissioner Sheridan Bond, whose term is coming to a close at the end of the year, gave a parting statement at the meeting.
Going forward there will be challenges and “leaders need to leave their ego and pride at the door and lead,” Bond said.
We need to strive to be as good as we can and to give as much as we can each day “because we don’t know which will be our last,” Bond said.
Of his time as a commissioner, Bond said, “It’s been the most enjoyable job I’ve ever had.”
Martin, whose term is also ending, said being a commissioner has been a challenging and bittersweet time, but she’s “looking forward to a private life.”
The commissioners will next meet on Thurs., Dec. 27 at 1 p.m. Their first meeting in January will be held Wed., Jan. 2, 2013 at 9 a.m.
