For Lincoln County residents who think local traffic is way too fast, help is on the way. On Dec. 16, Lincoln County commissioners accepted a $9,900 federal Bureau of Highway Safety grant. Sheriff Todd Brackett told commissioners the grant would provide funding for more speed patrols and possibly two additional radar guns. 

In other action, Brackett received approval to seek a $18,893 federal Weapons Storage Grant. He reported the sheriff's office's evidence room has storage capacity for 170 weapons. Currently, the department is storing 540 weapons by using space in old jail cells. 

The sheriff's department stores weapons stemming from evidence in a crime investigation, court-mandated protection from abuse orders and from Maine's yellow and red flag laws. 

According to Brackett, the proposed expansion would more than double  current storage space. "What this grant will do is allow us to cut a hole in the wall where the evidence room is now into the next cell block over, Cell Block B, and just use the two cells back-to-back with the current ones being used as one room," he said. "It would fund cutting a doorway to get from the current cell block through the wall so we can keep it secure."

Commissioners approved extending their state contract for providing court security for another two years.  The state will pay $284,529, a 5% increase. The extension begins Jan. 1, 2026 and ends Dec. 31, 2027. 

Commissioners approved animal contract renewals for one year with Bristol, Somerville and Westport Island. Marine Law Enforcement contracts were renewed for one year with Bremen, Bristol and South Bristol.

Brackett also reported retired Det. Sgt. Ronald Rollins would like to return to his former position. Commissioners approved the re-hire. Rollins will return Jan. 1.

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 in the courthouse.