Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett recognizes four deputies for outstanding service during a Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, April 5. From left: Deputy James Read, Deputy 1st Class Brian Collamore, Deputy Ken Hatch, Detective Jared Mitkus, and Brackett. (Charlotte Boynton photo)
During the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, April 5, Sheriff Todd Brackett honored four deputies for outstanding service: Deputy 1st Class Brian Collamore, Deputy Ken Hatch, Detective Jared Mitkus, and Deputy James Read.
Brackett presented a meritorious award to Collamore and Hatch for their response to a call in Whitefield last year.
“This award is being presented in recognition of their exceptional actions in responding to a distraught elderly man intent on harming himself on March 31, 2015,” Brackett said. “Deputy Kenneth Hatch and Deputy 1st Class Brian Collamore found the man had severely injured himself by intentionally severing his hand with an electrical saw and was bleeding profusely. The deputies rendered emergency first aid to include applying a tourniquet while struggling with the man, who did not want to be treated.”
According to Brackett, the deputies’ quick actions stabilized the situation, allowing for the man to be transported by emergency medical services to a LifeFlight helicopter and saving the man’s life.
“Deputy Hatch and Deputy 1st Class Brian Collamore’s compassion, skills, and professionalism are a testament to their commitment to the people of Lincoln County and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office,” Brackett said.
Read was recognized for his work with the county’s diversion program. Brackett said the program saves the county money every year. The diversion program is an alternative to incarceration that allows an offender to stay at home, go to work, and support their family while under law enforcement supervision. Brackett was quick to point out that the program is not for all offenders.
Mitkus was recognized for his professionalism and dedication to the agency.
The commissioners each expressed their appreciation to the honorees for their service to the people of Lincoln County.
The commissioners approved Brackett’s request to offer conditional employment to Rebecca Kavanaugh as a full-time deputy and Dwight Fowles as a part-time deputy, pending results of background and polygraph checks.
After being assured the new hires were within the sheriff’s office budget, the commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the offers.
Brackett said there are currently 33 inmates at Two Bridges Regional Jail from Lincoln County and 42 from Sagadahoc County.
Communications and Emergency Management Director Todd Hartung said the state has approved an update to the county’s hazard mitigation plan, and now it will be distributed to the boards of selectmen for their approval.
Hartung told the commissioners it is important for the towns to approve the mitigation plan because it allows them to apply for funding in an event of a disaster.
Since April is National Communications Month, the commissioners declared the week of April 10-17 as Lincoln County Communications Week, as requested by Hartung.
The communications center has received 11,997 calls of service to date this year, an increase of 2,258 calls from the same time as last year, according to Hartung.
New Lincoln County Administrator Carrie Kipfer addresses the commissioners at their meeting Tuesday morning, April 5. (Charlotte Boynton photo)
County Administrator Carrie Kipfer took her seat at the commissioners’ meeting for the first time as county administrator.
The commissioners authorized Kipfer to pay Two Bridges Regional Jail a supplemental payment of $62,971. She also reported on renovations to the district attorney’s office.
Other business conducted by the commissioners included the signing of a contract with the state for the probation-and-parole office in the old jail.
The commissioners held two executive sessions to discuss personnel matters and labor negotiations.
