Lincoln County's search for a new public safety building has hit a roadblock. County officials are searching for a new location to move their emergency communications center, emergency management agency and sheriff's office. After several months of searching, a possible location was found on Route One near the Damariscotta-Nobleboro border.

But county officials are abandoning this location and resuming their search. The location is in what Maine Department of Transportation calls a "controlled access highway" where development is highly regulated, said County Administrator Carrie Kipfer. "Development in the controlled access highway is discouraged. Traffic accelerates in this zone which makes crashes more likely, so it's hard to get a variance," she said. 

So the county is resuming the search for another location near Route One. Kipfer has directed Emily Rabbe, Regional Planning Commission executive director, to identify other potential locations on Route One but not in a controlled access highway.

In other action, commissioners decided to put a new HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) upgrade into their Fiscal Year 27 budget planning. The proposed project would be to replace one of the control boards, the computer and networking equipment for the HVAC system, programming, installation and training.

All three commissioners agreed to put the proposal in the FY 27 budget consideration.

Commissioners approved a $204,900 payment to Fuss & O'Neill of Kennebunk for a sewer and water feasibility study. Lincoln County will make 12 monthly payments to the company. Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission is working with Damariscotta, Newcastle, Waldoboro and Wiscasset on prioritizing sites for sewer and water development.

Commissioners granted approval for two district attorney employees to attend the annual conference on Crimes Against Women in Dallas, Texas in May. Commissioners approved $1,900 in travel expenses for a deputy district attorney and victim witness advocate to attend. The event provides training for professionals on domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault. 

Communications Director Tara Doe reported a change of status for Emily Salley, who previously served as a supervisor. "She recently gave birth, and will not return full-time," Doe said. "Instead, she asked to be placed on reserve status." 

The county filled one of two openings for a legal secretary. Violet Paris-Dodge was hired to fill one job pending a background check. Jessica Prentiss was previously on medical leave, and has notified the district attorney's office she would not return. 

Sharon Bailey of Jefferson urged commissioners Feb. 3 to reconsider their decision not to disperse opioid settlement funds in the FY 27 budget and prioritize ongoing grants to community based-organizations. Bailey lost her son to an accidental heroin overdose in 2012. "I find this (decision about the funds) disappointing considering the broad, diverse and far-reaching work these organizations do to support the criteria as stated in the MOSS Center's website for using opioid settlement funds," Bailey said. 

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17.