Hancock County approves airport leases, maintenance contracts and facility repairs

Hancock County Commissioners approved multiple airport lease and facility contract actions at a special meeting on May 19, 2026, in Ellsworth. The board voted to approve a Land Lease Agreement with Talaria Company LLC d/b/a Hinckley Yachts and related lease documents, accepted an amended memorandum of lease and an agreement to sever personal property from real estate in a transaction involving Morris Yachts, and authorized contract amendments and facility repairs.

Why it matters: The voted agreements modify county airport tenancy and property arrangements and authorize maintenance spending that will be charged to reserve accounts. The package also included construction and procurement steps that affect county facilities and the airport’s operations.

The board accepted the revised agenda and then took the lease-related motions together. Commissioners approved the Ground Lease Recognition and Estoppel Agreement for Talaria (motion recorded Clark/DiBella) and approved an Amended and Restated Memorandum of Lease and Operating Rights Agreement between Hancock County and Talaria Company LLC d/b/a Hinckley Yachts; both motions carried unanimously (3-0).

The commissioners also approved a Memorandum of Agreement to Sever Personal Property / Real Property from Real Estate involving Morris Yachts and approved a contract amendment with Debois and King for the 2026 Pavement Maintenance Project. A bid contract with D&S Builders, LLC for a shingle roof project was approved and funded by a transfer of $30,690 from the Building Reserve Account. Facilities Director Dennis Walls reported progress on the Emergency Operations Center interior work and discussed AV needs for the meeting room.

On maintenance procurement, the board approved a sole-source contract with American Concrete of Veazie, Maine, to replace the outdoor steps leading from the parking garage to the jail entrance, citing the vendor as the original supplier able to reuse existing railings; the job was authorized at $12,000 with a transfer from the Building Reserve Account to cover the cost (motion passed 3-0). The board also approved several budget transfer sheets to pay for a new jail stove ($5,905) and to fund a new multifunction copier (transfers of $4,500 and $7,300 from DA reserve accounts).

Other administrative motions approved included personnel items in the District Attorney’s office and consenting to a conflict waiver to allow Greg Im to continue to serve as bond counsel for Hancock County. Most motions were moved and seconded by Commissioners Clark and DiBella and recorded as passing 3-0 unless otherwise noted.

The board authorized the chair to sign contracts and memoranda where noted in the motions. The meeting adjourned at 11:12 a.m.