County officials admit reading cursive is really hard
Lincoln County commissioners opened bids for four new vehicles March 3 from Key Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Newcastle and Quirk Auto of Augusta. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Lincoln County commissioners opened bids for four new vehicles March 3 from Key Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Newcastle and Quirk Auto of Augusta. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay RegisterReading today's cursive writing can be hard, but imagine reading the cursive in documents from the late 18th century. Lincoln County Registery of Deeds is indexing all deeds dating back to 1761. The documents are all written in cursive and deeds employees need help.
On March 3, commissioners approved a $22,391 purchase authorization to Info Quick Solutions of Liverpool, New York to index county deed records dating back to 1761. "This is a two-part project. Our deeds department will work backwards indexing the more recent records," County Administrator Carrie Kipfer said. "And we plan on meeting IQS in the middle who will index them forward from 1761."
In other action, commissioners approved five new sheriff's department vehicle purchases. The county received sealed bids from Key Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Newcastle and Quirk Auto Group in Augusta. Commissioners approved buying the following vehicles from Key: two Dodge Durango patrol vehicles for $39,126 each and one Dodge Durango unmarked vehicle for $39,247.
A Ford Interceptor was purchased as a front-line vehicle from Quirk Auto in Augusta for $44,152. A fifth vehicle may be purchased using grant money. The county still has money left over from a federal Stonegarden Grant. Sheriff Todd Brackett told commissioners the grant is for providing overtime and purchasing equipment.
Brackett proposed using Stonegarden Grant funds to buy a Quirk Chevrolet Tahoe SUV for $56,553. He told commissioners the Tahoe was in stock on the Augusta lot.
Brackett said the SUV would provide more room for transporting larger equipment. He said a federal response would occur within two-weeks.
Commissioners approved an updated job description for emergency communication officers (911 dispatchers). Director Tara Doe reported the center is seeking two new supervisors and one dispatcher.
The county was notified of a Maine Department of Transportation taking in Newcastle, on Jones Wood Road (Route 215). The project includes work on the road, bridge and installing a culvert.
Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 17 in the courthouse.
