Staff Writer
CARIBOU — The County Commissioners met on March 18, to discuss a 12 article agenda at the administrative hearing room in the Caribou Courthouse. Commissioners Paul Adams of Houlton, Norman Fournier of Wallagrass, and Paul Underwood of Presque Isle unanimously approved a five-year contract with The Aroostook Medical Center (TAMC) for ambulance service for E Plantation, an area of the unorganized territories just outside of Mars Hill. The motion was made with recommendation from County Administrator Douglas Beaulieu.
Vern Ouellette attended the meeting as representative for the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and presented the commissioners with an update. The presentation made by Ouellette indicated that things are looking good over at the EMA.
“It’s been a pretty average year,” he told the commissioners.
Ouellette also mentioned that educational programs are currently under way, teaching area governing officials how to handle an emergency.
“We’re making it clear that it’s their show,” Ouellette explained.
“If it becomes a life safety issue,” he noted, “we have to step in.”
Ouellette also updated the commissioners on new technology the EMA received, which would enable them to assess property damage resultant of a major event, like last year’s flooding in the St. John Valley, in a few hours as opposed to a few days.
The commissioners approved the position of a part-time cook for the Houlton County Jail, discussed the report submitted by the County Administrator, and reviewed bids for one vehicle.
The commissioners received five bids for a one ton 4-wheel drive pickup for the EMA, funding for which came from the Maine Emergency Management Agency.
Action on the bids was tabled so that the bids could be closer reviewed more closely.
The next meeting of the County Commissioners is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 in Houlton.
