FARMINGTON — Franklin County Commissioners accepted a $49,100 project bid for the replacement of the county jail’s roof and discussed hiring candidates for several open positions at the Franklin County Communications Center at their meeting on Tuesday.
This spring, Franklin County Jail Administrator Doug Bleauvelt told commissioners that the jail’s roof needs to be replaced, and the county has since received three bids for the work.
On Tuesday commissioners accepted a $49,100 project bid from Lewiston-based Gladu Roofing Co. Gladu’s bid was the lowest of the three bids by $16,000.
The roof dates to 1983, when the jail was built. Twelve years ago the roof was patched and jail officials have known that at some point the entire roof would have to be replaced. In 2009, the county established a reserve account for the project, which has about $200,000 in it according to County Clerk Julie Magoon.
The only unexpected cost that could result in the project costing more than the $49,100 bid would be if Gladu discovers moisture in the insulation below the roof.
The goal is to have the roof replaced by winter.
Commissioners also gave the go-ahead for Communications Director Stan Wheeler to promote part-time Franklin County dispatcher Leighanne Palmer to full-time status. Based on several years of experience she has from working as a dispatcher at the Regional Communications Center in Augusta, commissioners approved her being hired at a level three wage of $16.67 an hour.
Commissioners tabled the approval of a hiring a new dispatch supervisor based on complaints commissioner Clyde Barker has received about the candidate chosen by the oral hiring board to fill the vacancy.
Out of four communication center dispatchers who applied for the supervisor position, the hiring board unanimously selected line dispatcher Tyler Richards as the most qualified. Wheeler, who is not a member of the hiring board, said he also anticipated receiving grievances about the promotion.
Before taking action on the board recommended promotion, commissioners want to confer with the county’s attorney about whether they need to promote the candidate before beginning the grievance process.
Wheeler also was given approval to advertise for the open dispatcher position that will be vacated once a candidate is promoted to the supervisor position.
Lauren Abbate — 861-9252
Twitter: @Lauren_M_Abbate
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