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Hancock County hires counsel for TAN and litigation, approves DA office reserve account
Summary
The commissioners authorized hiring attorney Greg Im to assist with a 2026 Tax Anticipation Note, approved hiring John Wall for pending litigation defense, and created a reserve account to fund District Attorney office furnishings in the new courthouse.
At its May 5 meeting Hancock County Commissioners voted 3-0 to hire Attorney Greg Im of Drummond Woodsum to represent the county in obtaining a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) for 2026 and authorized Treasurer Monica Cease to sign the engagement letter on the county’s behalf. The minutes record that Machias Savings Bank was consulted about the TAN process; the specific TAN amount and lender terms were not specified in the minutes.
County Administrator Michael Crooker described two related courthouse items: a sketch plan and proposed lease rate for District Attorney office space in the new courthouse, and a proposed change to the existing memorandum of agreement for the current courthouse leases. The DA’s office (via Michelle Cote) said the new office space would not be furnished by the courts; rather than require a full 2028 budget appropriation, the DA’s office asked the county to establish a reserve account to accumulate funds in 2027 and 2028 for supplies, equipment and furnishings. The Commissioners approved creating that reserve account (3-0) and directed Crooker to draft a new lease for the courts.
The board met in executive session under MRSA Title 1 §405(6)(E) to consult counsel on litigation matters and subsequently voted (3-0) to approve Attorney John Wall to represent the county in the matter McGlothlin v. Chandler, et al. The minutes record the motion and vote but do not include verbatim attorney remarks or details about contract terms, retainer amounts, or litigation strategy.
The minutes record decisions and motions but do not state TAN dollar amounts, proposed new lease rates for the new courthouse, or detailed terms for outside counsel engagements; those items will require follow-up with county staff for specifics.
