Guy hired as probate deputy register

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Unanimous approval of a new part-time deputy sheriff in Houlton, a full-time probate deputy register and a lease-purchase agreement for the garage in Stockholm marked the first part of the Aroostook County Commissioners meeting last Wednesday evening in Houlton.
    After examining  and discussing an analysis of exempt and non-exempt status as it would relate to job responsibilities for the position of probate deputy register, the commissioners approved making the position “non-exempt.” County Administrator Douglas Beaulieu said the principle functions and duties of the employee are of a non-exempt nature, i.e., generally protected by wage and hour laws.
    Beaulieu recommended hiring Darlene Guy of New Limerick as the new full-time probate deputy register. He cited Guy for her background as a legal secretary in Houlton who “rose to the top of the list of several very good candidates.” He indicated that a “good slate of about 20 candidates” was narrowed to six interviews with the department head and “it was a tough decision. But, he said they were unanimous about the individual who rose to the top.” The commissioners approved the hire unanimously.
    Sheriff James Madore recommended hiring Steve Wotton of Houlton as the new part-time deputy sheriff which the commissioners also approved, unanimously. Wotton is a part-time EMT and dispatcher in Houlton and had worked for the sheriff’s department in the past.
    The commissioners authorized Beaulieu to enter into a lease-purchase agreement with the Maine Department of Transportation for a garage in Stockholm.
    Beaulieu reported that the Board of Corrections expects to make quarterly payments to the county in a timely fashion on a “status quo” basis for FY 10. Beaulieu also indicated that the budget was submitted prior to the deadline for current services, but he anticipates some possible cutbacks.
    In explaining a “slight increase in health insurance premiums,” Beaulieu said it was because claims exceeded premiums.
    In his report to the commissioners he said the per capita cost for the unorganized territories was $485, — essentially the lowest in the state when services are taken into account. Although the fiscal administrator for the unorganized territory indicated that the fund balance was extremely low at about $3million, Beaulieu said it was still 14 percent of the total budget higher than the county’s fund balance.
    With regard to gasoline bids, the county administrator said he wanted to make the commissioners aware of his decision to accept the bid of Irving Oil over DOC’s due the number of gas stations and their 24-hour service which is helpful to the sheriff’s department.
    Two agenda items were tabled: the purchase of a police cruiser, pending a review of all bids; and a tax abatement hearing in Van Buren until more information is submitted.
    Commissioner Paul Underwood said he would review “more restrictive” provisions being pursued by LURC for the unorganized territory. Underwood also said membership in the National Association of Counties, NACo, might be valuable for a countywide dental plan and prescription discounts. The commissioners then went into executive session to discuss personnel issues.
    The commissioners meet 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 in Caribou,  for a budget work session followed by a public comment period at 3 p.m. They will meet again in Sinclair, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 5:30 p.m. at the senior center for county budget requests and unorganized territory budget requests.