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Commissioners approve copier purchase, refer rehire policy and recognize county food drive
Summary
The board approved purchasing a new registrar copier from a reserve fund, asked HR to circulate a drafted rehire policy to department heads for review, and presented a certificate to Britney Russell for organizing a successful county food drive.
Penobscot County commissioners on Dec. 17 approved a registrar’s request to replace a failing copier and handled several routine administrative items.
The registrar said the replacement is budgeted and available in a restricted reserve account and gave a cost estimate for the new copier (she quoted a figure in the mid‑$80,000s). Commissioners discussed service‑contract arrangements and the possible benefits of lease vs. purchase and concluded funds were available to proceed; the motion to approve the purchase carried unanimously.
On personnel policy, HR staff (Tony) presented a draft countywide rehire policy intended to provide guidance on whether the county will respond to external inquiries about whether it would rehire a formerly employed person. Commissioners asked that the draft be circulated to department heads for feedback and scheduled further discussion and possible implementation after departments review the proposal.
The commission also recognized county employee Britney Russell for organizing a recent food drive, noting that with federal SNAP benefit suspensions in November the drive helped local shelters. Russell said she and a partner coordinated county‑wide collections and that volunteers were able to collect and distribute "several hundred pounds" of food to area shelters. The board presented a certificate of appreciation and took photos.
These items were approved or referred without controversy and will return to the board only for standard follow‑up where needed.
