Sheriff: rumble strips reinstalled after cluster of crashes; commissioners approve deputy hire and equipment storage agreement

Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry told Commissioners on Nov. 13 that October calls were relatively quiet but that the office handled several automobile accidents, including three serious crashes in a month and one fatality in Woolwich after rumble strips were not reinstalled following a paving project. "The rumble strips had been put back," Merry said, calling their restoration a "potentially life-saving act." He said the County coordinated with the Maine Department of Transportation and local officials to get a contractor to reinstall the strips.

Merry also described staffing progress: the office has three conditional job offers outstanding and brought one candidate to the meeting for hiring approval. The board voted to hire Daniel Ouellette, a former Lisbon Police Department officer and Army veteran. Merry said Ouellette "graduated the 45th Basic Law Enforcement Training Program in May 2024" and that his "background check was immaculately clean." Merry noted a prorated reimbursement to the town of Lisbon of approximately $39,000 will be required because Ouellette completed his training within five years. Merry said Ouellette will still complete a 30-day field training officer (FTO) program and a six-month probationary period.

The board also authorized an agreement with Glenn Kirkpatrick of Woolwich for storage and maintenance of County-owned equipment. Merry described that Kirkpatrick has stored items such as speed trailers in the off-season and that the department planned to give Kirkpatrick one stripped vehicle in trade for services rather than sell it for cash. Commissioner Charles Crosby moved to authorize the agreement; Commissioner Todd McPhee seconded, and the motion carried.

Commissioners did not take additional action beyond approvals; Merry said he would complete agreements and collect equipment per the new authorization.