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Commissioners discuss courthouse jury bathroom, MOU with judicial branch and ADA requirements
Summary
Sagadahoc County commissioners debated a draft MOU with the Maine Judicial Branch that would split the cost to construct a new jury bathroom and identified ADA compliance and sequencing of related space moves as unresolved issues; commissioners asked staff to continue negotiations and return with written assurances or an MOU before work proceeds.
Sagadahoc County commissioners on Jan. 14 discussed a draft memorandum of understanding with the Maine Judicial Branch that would have the state pay half the cost to construct a jury bathroom on the third floor of the county courthouse and set out ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) fixes needed for the building.
The county administrator told commissioners the judicial branch provided a first draft MOU proposing a 50% contribution toward construction costs and had supplied an ADA assessment listing fixes and upgrades the courthouse needs. ‘‘They supplied the first draft of an MOU with the county that addresses contributing 50% of the cost of the construction of the new jury bathroom, as well as an ADA assessment,’’ the administrator said.
Why it matters: County staff said the jury bathroom is a prerequisite to moving county facilities and Information Technology into adjacent space; commissioners and staff warned that completing bathroom work without resolving ADA obligations or receiving written assurance from the state could leave the county with costs for renovations that do not secure state approval for intended space changes.
Discussion and concerns: Commissioners raised three main concerns: (1) the MOU with the judicial branch has not been signed and could take months to complete, (2) the ADA assessment includes items that may be cost‑prohibitive or require further negotiation, and (3) building the bathroom before ADA questions are settled could expose the county to additional expense or delay if more extensive accessibility work becomes mandatory.
One commissioner asked whether the county could obtain a letter of intent or other assurance before authorizing construction. The administrator said she had requested written assurance and that negotiations typically take several months. Commissioners also discussed sequencing: facilities staff and IT cannot move into the vacated jury lounge until a dedicated jury bathroom is in place and ADA requirements for access are addressed.
Cost and timeline: The administrator reported a construction estimate in the meeting packet (one line reference in the packet) and said the project and associated ADA negotiations would likely take several months to resolve. Commissioners recommended continuing discussions at a scheduled space meeting and asked staff to return to the Jan. 21 meeting with updates; they agreed to table final action pending a signed MOU or a clearer written assurance from the judicial branch.
Ending: Commissioners voted to table formal action on the jury bathroom until the Jan. 21 meeting so staff can follow up with the Maine Judicial Branch, review the ADA list in greater detail and, if possible, obtain written assurances about the state’s commitment to pay half the construction cost.
