Emergency Management Director Tim Pellerin defended a statement he previously made, and was criticized for, to the Lincoln County Commissioners regarding the Lincoln County Fire Service, at the commissioners meeting last week.

Pellerin had told the commissioners in a previous meeting he was going to develop a 20-20 Vision Committee to discuss the future of the fire service in Lincoln County.

"The EMS and law enforcement in Lincoln County are superb. It is the fire service that is the weak link." He went on in that meeting to explain that few people are now volunteering to serve.

Pellerin told the commissioners this week again, it is not the ability of the firefighters that is weak, but the numbers of people serving.

"The volunteer fire service is on a slide downward. Fewer people are volunteering to serve as firefighters in their community," Pellerin said. "I have great praise for the firefighters in Lincoln County, and in no way did I imply they were a weak link, only weak in the number of volunteers.

"They do a great job," he said. "We need to enhance staffing levels."

During a telephone interview with Pellerin, a call came in that there was an oil spill in Edgecomb. Edgecomb could not respond, and Wiscasset was called to respond. "It isn't because Edgecomb doesn't have a good fire service. It is because they are all working. That is why we have mutual aid to fill those gaps," Pellerin said.

Pellerin is working to develop the 20-20 Vision Committee made up of fire chiefs, firefighters, selectmen and other interested parties to gather ideas on how the county can recruit more volunteer fire fighters.

According to the County Maintenance Supervisor Jim Hopler, the patio heating issue has been resolved.

The heating system located under the patio is supposed to heat the concrete so that snow and ice will melt in the winter. After the first snow storm it was apparent that something was wrong because the snow did not melt.

It appears that an electrical part was put into the system incorrectly which created the problem.

The county awarded the tax anticipation note bid to Bath Savings Bank at an interest rate of 3.34 percent, which was lower than the other three bidders: Camden National, First National of Damariscotta, and Key Bank of Portland. The county will borrow $6 million on an as needed basis.

Commissioner Kenneth Honey announced he will not seek re-election when his term expires December 31, 2008. Commissioner Sheridan Bond, whose term will also expire at the same time, will seek re-election.

Honey represents District 1, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Southport, Westport Island and Wiscasset. Bond represents District 3, Alna, Damariscotta, Jefferson, Newcastle, Hibbets Gore, Somerville and Whitefield.

Commissioner William Blodgett, whose term will expire December 31, 2010, represents District 2, Bremen, Bristol, Monhegan Plantation, Nobleboro, South Bristol, and Waldoboro.

The commissioners tabled making the Lincoln/Sagadahoc Jail Authority appointments until their next meeting, January 15. The Bremen Shellfish contract was also tabled because no word has been received from the town on whether the contract is acceptable to them.