Prosecutorial District VI District Attorney Natasha Irving asked Lincoln County Commissioners Tuesday to reverse a legal secretary job description that changed this spring. Irving told commissioners the new job description was potentially “problematic and created ethical concerns” within the law office. Irving discovered the change in preparing an advertisement for Paige Rollins’ replacement.

In preparing the job posting, Irving discovered the job description listed the  district attorney office manager who reported to the county administrator as the legal secretary’s supervisors. Irving said similar job descriptions around the state had the district attorney and other senior office attorneys listed as legal secretaries’ supervisors. Irving told commissioners she wanted to return to the previous description. 

“The chain of command should go through the office manager to the district attorney. Based on the Maine Bar Association rules, we are responsible for what goes on in an office. I can’t impress on you enough how problematic and how crucial it is to change back,” she said.

Commissioner Mary Trescot requested Irving submit her request in writing. “Do you mean send you an email of what I just said,” Irving asked. Trescot responded “yes,” and Irving agreed to send an email later in the day. Irving also asked to increase the witness advocate job from 30 to 40 hours. Commissioners previously increased its hours from 20 to 30.

Irving wanted to increase the hours because a backlog of cases delayed by the coronavirus was about to be heard in local courts. “Trial dates are set, and she could easily work 40 hours per week and not get everything done,” Irving said. Before commissioners ruled on her request, Irving provided an alternate proposal. She asked to add 10 hours to the witness advocate’s job to temporarily fill in for the vacant legal secretary position. The temporary role would require  “copying, discovery and supporting office staff in meeting their legal obligations,” according to Irving.

Commissioners voted 3-0 to temporarily add 10 hours a week to Witness Advocate Briana DeLanna’s schedule. Irving will return in two weeks with district attorney lawyers explaining why expanding the witness advocate job permanently to 40 hours is needed.

In other action, commissioners met with Sheriff Todd Brackett in an executive session about his proposed hiring incentive plan. For six weeks, Brackett has advocated for an incentive plan to meet his department’s labor needs. He presented commissioners with a formalized proposal which detailed incentive hiring bonuses for experienced law enforcement officers. A decision wasn’t made by press time. Commissioners did approve Brackett’s recommendation for a new part-time animal control officer. Commissioners hired Michael Livers who will work primarily on weekends. Brackett also reported two deputies’ departures. Michael Moody resigned to take a similar job with Gardiner Police Department. Brackett reported Moody had family in the Gardiner area and the compensation was “as good or better.” Brackett also reported Eze Van Buckley’s probationary term ended and he was terminated. 

Communication Director Tara Doe recommended a new emergency dispatcher for hiring. Commissioners approved Derek Cole pending a successful background check. Doe reported another candidate initially accepted a job, but later declined. The communications center still lacks one dispatcher and supervisor. 

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 15 in the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission office in Wiscasset.