Commissioners hold document copy fees at flate rate

By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
    FORT KENT — A new law passed by state legislatures would allow for Aroostook’s Registries of Deeds to increase the price on copies of some documents, but the County Commissioners elected to keep the prices at their standard levels during their July 20 meeting in Fort Kent.
    According to County Administrator Douglas Beaulieu, P.L 2011 Chapter 378 (Formerly LD 1499) “An Act Concerning Fees for Users of County Registries of Deeds” would allow Aroostook’s two registries to charge more for copies of certain types of documents, “but we’re going to keep our old pricing structure intact — we’re not going to charge more,” he said.
    Though copy prices at the Registries of Deeds remained the same, some storagechanges will be implemented eventually at the Northern Registry of Deeds office in Fort Kent.
    Beaulieu explained that Register Louise Caron has reported that space is limited in terms of document storage at the Fort Kent facility.
    As more shelving and file cabinets have been added to accommodate additional documents and supplies, the space utilized by the public to search for documents has become infringed upon.
    While it’s not an urgent issue demanding immediate action, the situation is on the radar of county officials.
    “We’re going to be talking about options in the future to take care of spatial needs at the facility,” Beaulieu said.
    Facility improvements are also in the future for the Caribou Courthouse and county facilities in Houlton.
    As discussed by the commissioners, county officials have found additional projects to optimize a previously awarded Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.
    The approximately $310,000 grant was first awarded to Aroostook in 2010, where it was used to complete about 14 energy-efficient projects in county facilities. 
    After the “green” upgrades were completed, there was approximately $30,000 of grant funding remaining.
    County officials compiled a list of additional projects and applied for an extension on the grant in order to utilize the remaining funding, which was approved.
    The extra energy-efficient projects — replacing the air-handling system in the Sheriff’s Office Building in Houlton as well as an energy-efficient front door for the building, replacing a large window at the Caribou Courthouse with an energy-efficient replacement and replacing window air conditioners in the Sheriff’s Office Building with Energy Star units — are anticipated for completion this fall.
    Beaulieu informed the commissioner that the county received a grant to enable firefighters of the North Lakes Fire and Rescue to purchase new turnout gear; the $2,000 grant will help members of the department replace old equipment.
    Public Works Director Paul Bernier provided the commissioners with an update on the Sinclair Housing Assistance Grant Program; he reported that 14 projects are under contract with nine having already been completed. The remaining five projects should be finished within the next few weeks.
    The next meeting of the Aroostook County Commissioners is scheduled for tonight at 5:30 in the Administrative Hearing Room of the Caribou Courthouse.