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Sagadahoc commissioners approve tower agreements, hire IT director (2-1) and remove lateral-entry cap
Summary
At its Nov. 12 meeting, the Sagadahoc County Commissioners approved a property sale and sublease for emergency radio towers financed with ARPA funds, authorized the hire of an IT director by a 2-1 vote amid experience concerns, and removed a lateral-entry cap in the deputy sheriffs’ CBA.
Sagadahoc County commissioners on Nov. 12 signed agreements to secure land and a sublease for emergency communications radio towers, approved a staffing hire for county IT, and voted to remove a cap on lateral-entry pay in the deputy sheriffs’ collective bargaining agreement.
The board unanimously approved a Purchase & Sale Agreement with Chris Faulhaber for a Phippsburg property intended as a tower site, and unanimously signed a sublease with the Town of Georgetown for a second site at Higgins Mountain. Commissioner Crosby described the three-tower project as a countywide investment financed with ARPA funds that "saves taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of the towers" and could generate revenue shared with Georgetown and West Bath through vendor leases on tower space.
On personnel, the board debated the recommended hire for IT Director. Administrator Amber Jones said the interview panels were comprehensive and recommended the candidate; she told the board that "the strongest candidate is the one being put forward." Commissioners questioned the candidate’s lack of public-sector experience. The motion to authorize the hire passed 2-1; the candidate’s start date was listed as Dec. 2, 2024 and the position carries a six-month probationary period.
The board also approved a request from Sheriff Joel Merry and the FOP Lodge 752 to remove a five-year cap on lateral-entry pay so that experience at hiring is credited across the full pay scale. Merry said correcting the underpayment for three affected deputies will cost $2,232 for FY25 and annualize to about $3,500; the board voted 3-0 to accept the change and a side letter is expected at the next meeting.
Appointments and routine matters: the board approved reappointments to the Board of Assessment Review and passed the consent agenda, which included prior meeting minutes and October financials.
Votes at a glance: - Hire IT Director (authorize hire of Devin Field): mover Commissioner August; second Commissioner Crosby; outcome: approved 2-1 (start effective Dec. 2, 2024). - Purchase & Sale Agreement (1593 Main Road, Phippsburg): mover Commissioner August; second Commissioner Grose; outcome: approved unanimously. - Sublease Agreement (Higgins Mountain, Georgetown): mover Commissioner August; second Commissioner Grose; outcome: approved unanimously. - Remove lateral-entry cap in FOP CBA: mover Sheriff Joel Merry (recommendation); outcome: approved unanimously; FY25 cost cited at $2,232 (annualized ~$3,500). - Board of Assessment Review appointments: outcome: approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
