The new Two Bridges Regional Sign put up recently on Route 1 in Wiscasset has raised some comments around town.

"It's too low, the lettering is too small, it can't be read, why buy such an expensive sign? A wooden sign would cost much less," these are some of the comments from area residents.

The grey granite sign, 144 inches by 6 inches by 36 inches, came at a total cost of approximately $9,000, according to Corrections Administrator, Wayne Applebee.

The sign alone cost $5,000, foundation for the sign $1,500 and the cost from the electrician for the lights about $2,500.

The jail was open for almost a year before the sign was put up. The Lincoln/Sagadahoc Jail Authority considered other signs, that would have cost less such as a wooden sign, and other materials costing more, that would require maintenance each year.

The authority had budgeted $15,000 for the sign, and decided on the granite sign, requiring little to no maintenance.

According to Applebee, the land the sign is located on doesn't belong to Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties. The jail authority has an easement to place the sign on the property and the agreement says the sign must be low so that it will not hide the property owner's business on the site (formerly R.M. Tate's, now the Green Gourmet).

The authority considered purchasing the property on Route 1 last year, which would have given the authority more options as to the sign and placement of the sign.

The Two Bridges Regional Jail was built by the taxpayers of Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties at a cost of $24.5 million. The jail began receiving inmates in November 2006 from the two counties.

Currently the jail has a contract with the Maine Department of Corrections to house up to 23 state prison inmates.