In a split decision, Lincoln County commissioners voted to begin negotiations for a Damariscotta property as a possible new public safety building complex. County officials began considering moving the sheriff's department, emergency management agency and communication center in 2023 following a consultant's report.

The decision was made following a structural assessment of the sheriff's building. An advisory committee consisting of Sheriff Todd Brackett, EMA Director Emily Huber and Communications Director Tara Doe are the current committee members charged with finding a suitable centralized location with easy access to Route One and 15 acres of land for the complex.

On Dec. 16, the search possibly came to a conclusion as a possible location was identified by the committee. Commissioners William Blodgett and David Levesque voted to begin negotiations with a Damariscotta landowner. District 1 Commissioner Evan Goodkowsky opposed the location. "Not for me," Goodkowsky said. "I want it west of the Damariscotta River."

Goodkowsky opposed the location due to unacceptable emergency response times to his district which includes towns in the Boothbay region, Wiscasset and Westport Island.

County Administrator Carrie Kipfer responded the search committee had searched in the location preferred by Goodkowsky without success. She reported one parcel was too small (five acres), a second was not for sale, and a third one, near Sherman Lake, had unbuildable terrain.

Brackett urged commissioners to reach a unanimous decision, and believed a "united front" was important for the project. He told commissioners this was the largest county project since Two Bridges Regional Jail. He suggested, if taking more time helped reach a unanimous decision, the board should consider it. He also recommended possibly considering locations just off Route One.

"If you want us to look further, there are a couple sites further up the Sheepscot River. Nobody looked at them because we focused on easy access to Route One," he said. "As we move forward, it's crucial we all be on the same page. This may go to referendum so unanimous support, from the board, maybe worthwhile in the long term."

Blodgett disagreed. He wanted the commissioners to follow recommendations made by the consultant and search committee to finalize a site location. "I really don't think more time will result in a better location. So, let's go ahead," he said. 

Kipfer cautioned that the project still has many hurdles to clear prior to the new public safety center becoming a reality.