Lincoln County Commissioners are negotiating with the Maine Department of Corrections (DOC) on renting space at the old Lincoln County Jail. The state is interested in renting about 722 square feet.

A letter from the DOC given to the commissioners at their meeting Tuesday morning says the state is willing to pay $7.30 per square foot.

However, Commissioner Sheridan Bond said, "We need to continue to negotiate to get $10 per square foot." This is the amount per square foot that the court system is paying.

Bond said renting space at the old jail would bring revenue into the county, and could reduce taxes in the future.

Sheriff Todd Brackett told the commissioners the inmate count at the Two Bridges Regional Jail is 31 inmates from Lincoln County, and 34 inmates from Sagadahoc County.

The two county budgets are based on Lincoln County paying 57 percent of the inmate cost, with Sagadahoc paying 43 percent. Early predictions were that Lincoln would have more inmates than Sagadahoc.

Brackett said he is doing his best to keep the jail inmate costs down, and was happy to report Sagadahoc County had more inmates than Lincoln County.

"However, that could change tomorrow, "Brackett said.

The commissioners approved a request from Brackett to hire Todd Chilton as a full-time program transportation officer. Chilton has been working for the county part-time since 2004.

The commissioners waived the two-week waiting period, and allowed Chilton to begin his full-time position right away. The position became available by the resignation of Ernest Barter.

The Requests for Bids (RFP) for three new sheriff's office patrol cars will be developed by Brackett and the County Administrator, James McMahon. The bids are due on March 20, by 9:15 a.m.

Brackett also reported to the commissioners that Lisa Thomas, a female inmate who escaped from custody while she was on medical furlough, was found in Charlotte, N.C. However, the district attorney made the decision not to extradite at this time because of the cost involved.

However, the warrants in Maine will stay active and a decision to extradite could be made at a later date, according to Brackett.

Recycling Supervisor Mike Thompson gave the commissioners the monthly recycling report at their meeting.

Revenues for the month of January from glass, compost and contracts amounted to just over $11,000.

Thompson told the commissioners he was going to be meeting February 15, with the county administrator and FCR Goodman, from Scarborough, a recyclables hauler, to discuss single steam collection for the county.

"The more we can recycle. the more we get out of the waste steam, and the better it is for the environment," Thompson said.

Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Tim Pellerin told the commissioners that Deputy EMA Lori Upham is attending a certified national hurricane training session in Miami, Fla. this week, at no cost to the county.

She is attending four days of classes, eight hours a day, to receive her certification.

The commissioners approved the request from Pellerin to hire Brandi Soiette as a part-time dispatcher. She is also a part-time dispatcher for Sagadahoc County. Pellerin said this completes his staff of five part-time dispatchers.

"With the busy season coming upon us, having the extra part-time staff, will cut down on our overtime expense," Pellerin said.

The commissioners voted to reject the request from Knox County Administrator, Bill Post to partially fund the Jump Start Program for Medomock Valley High School.

According to Post, the total cost of the project is $4,400. Because some students from Lincoln County attend the school, its share of the cost would be 20 percent or $800. This amount would cover the cost from January 22, through the remainder of the school year. Jump Start is a mentoring program for first time nonviolent juvenile offenders.

The juveniles are referred to the program in a number of different ways, including the juvenile court system and through school referrals. The goal of the program is to reduce the number of repeat offenders

"Although we support the program, the timing of the request is not good for Lincoln County," Bond said. "Perhaps, had we had the request at budget time, it would have been different."

Commissioner Kenneth Honey added a little humor to his motion to reject the request by saying, "I move we do not jump aboard this program at this time."