An early copy of the Declaration of Independence is on its way to East Boothbay. Maine State Historical Society in Portland will display its copy of the "Dunlap Broadside" Declaration of Independence at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences during a 250th Anniversary tour this summer.

Lincoln County Administrator Carrie Kipfer told commissioners May 5 about Maine State Historical Society's planned tour. Bigelow Laboratory in East Boothbay is the tour's second stop. The document will be on display Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 at Bigelow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Bigelow is providing free tickets to decrease potentially long wait times for visitors. "Tickets are available but we will make accommodations for walk-ins," said Bigelow Chief of Staff Valerie Young.

The document was one of about 200 printed after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Printer John Dunlap made them and then sent around 200 copies around the American colonies. Maine State Historical Society has one of about 26 known copies, according to the National Park Service website. The copies are not signed by all the Continental Congress members. Signatures are by John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress and  Charles Thomson, Continental Congress secretary, according to the NPS.

In other news, commissioners approved purchasing six ballistic vests from DCF Investigative Services. The county is paying $10,362 for them. Sheriff Todd Brackett also received approval to sell surplus jail property in an internet auction.

Kipfer received authorization to pay up to $3,750 for an employee training consultant. Kipfer told commissioners she wasn't ready to hire one but wanted prior approval to spend up to $3,750 once a decision is made. Healthy Lincoln County received approval to extend its deadline for using an opioid settlement grant. HLC received its grant about 18 months ago with a July 2026 deadline to spend funds. Kipfer reported HLC officials requested an extension until the end of the year. Commissioners approved extending the deadline to Dec. 31.

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 19 in the courthouse.