Leigh Smith

The meeting involved the election of the 2026 Chairperson and the approval of the agenda, which was amended to include considerations for the 2026 mileage rate, ambulance agreements with Ambulance Services, Inc. and the City of Caribou, and services in the Sinclair/Cross Lake/Square Lake area. The Commissioners approved several items including a letter of support for St. Peter's Store regarding an Agency Liquor Store licensure. Updates were received from the Northeast Workforce Development Board. Discussions included the denial of the Devoe Brook Road winter closure appeal and the approval of an Order to Establish a Charter Commission. Agreements for ambulance services with the Town of Madawaska and Ambulance Services, Inc. were approved. Legislative updates covered tax appeal restructuring and jail funding constraints. Other business included approving the 2026 mileage rate and finalizing contracts for ambulance services. The Commissioners entered into an Executive Session to discuss the County Administrator position, after which they voted to reopen the search for that role. The document set presentation dates for the 2025 Spirit of America Awards for April, May, and June 2026.

The Regular Meeting included an amendment to the agenda to include Special Meeting minutes and correct a contract description. Key actions involved approving the 2026 County Commissioner meeting schedule and setting a public hearing date for the matter of Hilton vs. Town of Eagle Lake concerning a winter road closure appeal. The Commissioners approved the sale of surplus property, the recommission of a Deputy Sheriff, and the hiring of a junior firefighter and an accounts payable/payroll specialist. Financial matters included accepting the quarterly financial reports and approving a three-year contract with the Sherriff's office for law enforcement protection. Other approvals covered a change in voluntary short term disability carriers, multiple one-year and three-year service contracts (animal services, ambulance services, fire protection), and a construction bid for the Dubay Pit Road project. During an executive session, an agreement was approved for a management consultant for the County Administrator position, funded by accrued sick leave.

The proceedings included a Sinclair Sanitary District Trustees election held prior to the main meeting, where two trustees for a three-year term were unanimously elected. Key discussions during the regular Commissioners' meeting involved approving the agenda and paying bills. The Commissioners presented a service award to a former Commissioner. Updates were provided regarding ACAP's expansion and the creation of a correction services capital credit reserve account of $590,134 to address the jail funding deficit. Approval was granted for using Town Line Rd in Connor as an ITS snowmobile trail, subject to maintenance agreements. Hiring recommendations for a part-time dispatcher and a full-time corrections officer were approved. The Board accepted the bid of $2,852,700 from A.M. Construction & Roofing for the new Sinclair fire station construction, including alternates. A three-year contract with the town of New Sweden for snow removal in Connor Township was approved. Reports were given on jail funding legislation, property taxation task forces, and MCCA activities. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss the County Administrator search.

The meeting addressed several agenda items, including public comment regarding the Opioid Settlement Funding process. The agenda was amended to include approval of Special Commissioner Meeting Minutes from December 12, 2025, consideration of a liquor application for St. Peter's Store, and items related to the Jail Study Commission's recommendation for the Jail Design RFP and the ambulance contract for E Plantation. Key actions included approving the liquor license for St. Peter's Store and drafting a letter of support for its Agency Liquor Store license application for 2026. An update was provided on the comprehensive land use plan revision process. The Commissioners nominated representatives for the 2026 MCCA Representative/Proxy and MCCA Risk Pool roles. The job description for the new jail project director position was approved with an amendment. Dana Gendreau was named interim county administrator. Funding approval was granted for the CACE school program using Opioid Settlement funds, and awards were approved for the second round of opioid funding recipients. The interlocal agreement with Aroostook Region 5 EMS was approved, as was the preliminary 2026-2027 Unorganized Territory budget. Hiring recommendations for a full-time patrol deputy and commissions for new hires were approved. Regarding other business, the commission approved inviting three organizations for interviews for the jail design RFP, approved engaging Tempo Employment Services for a custodian position, and approved the 2026 ambulance agreement. The meeting concluded with an executive session where administrative leave for an employee was approved.

The meeting included discussions regarding the County Administrator Search in an executive session, with no action taken upon return. Additionally, there was a request to review a personnel matter and a proposal to utilize TEMPO services for a custodian position in Fort Kent, aiming for a temp-to-hire arrangement to address challenges in filling the position.