Commissioners hear good budget news

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Growth of the county’s fund balance by $317,496.67 was termed “just excellent” by County Administrator Doug Beaulieu in his statement to the County Commissioners at their meeting last Wednesday evening.
    The figure, Beaulieu said, was attributable to a combination of revenue gains and savings on expenditures for health insurance and for fuel. “Costs on health insurance were less than expected and we had savings on our fuel oil across the board …. And, generally the departments did an exceptional job staying under budget in a significant way,” explained Beaulieu.
    To accommodate cash flow, the county will still take out a tax anticipation note between $1.2 million and $1.5 million, according to Beaulieu who also said “FY 10 is on target.”
Woods nominated Firefighter of the Year
Darren Woods
    Chief Darren Woods of the North Lakes Fire Department has been nominated as Firefighter of the Year by the American Legion Post 136. Beaulieu termed the nomination “noteworthy.” The commissioners agreed that Woods “has done a great job up there.”   
    When reached for comment, Woods said: “I was extremely surprised and very honored to be nominated by the community I serve and to have the backing of my firefighters.”
Other matters
    The commissioners approved Katahdin Valley Health Center’s fee reduction for inmate medical services. The reduction from $13,817.66 to $13,112.96 per month is retroactive and covers the 2010 calendar year.
    An $89,000 portable mobile tower was acquired with a FEMA grant to facilitate communications during emergencies. It will be stored in the county’s Stockholm facility.
    Beaulieu announced that Industrial Protection Services was the low bidder for a compressor system for North Lakes and Rescue. The company bid $35,995.
    Commissioner Norman Fournier and Beaulieu commended Paul Bernier, public works director, for his professionalism in handling bids on two county contracts.
    Bernier said B&K Mowing Services, a Sherman company, was awarded a three-year contract for Silver Ridge Cemetery maintenance at the rate of $1,500 per year.
    And Deschaine Sanitation, in Madawaska, turned in the winning bid to take in and remove bulky waste trash at the Sinclair Transfer Station. That award, said Bernier, averaged $12,000 per year for three years — 2010-12.
    The next meeting of the County Commissioners will be Wednesday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Registry of Deeds office in Fort Kent.