Staff Writer
HOULTON — Sheriff James Madore made recommendations to fill vacancies in his department that were filled by unanimous votes at the County Commissioners’ meeting Feb. 17 in Houlton. Dan Robertson of Woodland was recommissioned as a full-time deputy sheriff. Dustin Charette of Van Buren and Eric Crouse of Houlton were hired as part-time deputy sheriffs. And, Rebekah Bickford of Houlton was hired as a full-time corrections officer.
Pamela Boyce of Presque Isle was approved as an accounts payable clerk, also at that meeting. However, she later withdrew her name from consideration when a formal offer of the position was presented to her, according to County Administrator Douglas Beaulieu.
The new part-time victim witness advocate for the district attorney’s office will be Kathleen Braeuninger of Fort Fairfield. The retired Maryland police officer was unanimously approved by the commissioners and referred to by Beaulieu as a “top-notch candidate with outstanding credentials in terms of background checks.”
Michael Lane representing Gardner Land Company gave an update on a development project for land surrounding Wytopitlock Lake. After requesting support for the project, Lane only received conditional backing from the commissioners with the proviso that area residents in Glenwood Plantation have no objections.
The commissioners also approved a $1.5 million tax anticipation note from Katahdin Trust for the county and a fire protection agreement in the amount of $18,790.07 with the city of Caribou for the unorganized territory of Connor.
Two diseased trees in front of Superior Court in Houlton will be replaced upon arborist Art Selander’s recommendation and approval by the commissioners.
The next meeting of the county commissioners will be Wednesday, March 3, 5:30 p.m. in Fort Kent.
