Sheriff’s office design unveiled

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

   DOVER-FOXCROFT — A Monson architect unveiled the schematic design for a proposed new Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office at last week’s county commissioners’ meeting which would replace the aging – and potentially dangerous – current building.
   The bottom line for the new one-story structure, which would be built on the former Liston Smith property, is around $675,000.
   Among other things, the estimate includes heat pump systems, cabinetry, kitchen appliances, plumbing, carpeting, architectural and engineering fees and furnishings.

Observer Photo/Mike Lange

    NEW DIGS — Architect Vicki Wolfertz displays a schematic drawing of the proposed new sheriff’s office at last week’s Piscataquis County Commissioners’ meeting.

   Architect Vicky Wolfertz said that the structure was designed to blend in with the neighborhood and “looks a little bit like the Peaks House but not as tall.”
   The Peaks House was a private residence and district courthouse for a number of years before it was converted into office space for the county administrators.
   Wolfertz pointed out many features that could be included in the new building that the current sheriff’s office is lacking such as adequate office space, a reception area, conference room, a secure storage area and a garage with a wash bay. “I also designed it so that it could be added onto in the future if needed,” she said.
   While the estimated cost raised a few eyebrows, interim County Manager Tom Lizotte pointed out that voters will have the ultimate say about whether the project goes forward. “The main thing we need to be concerned about is whether it meets the sheriff’s department’s needs,” Lizotte said. “We need to do something before we’re forced to because of the code issues in the current building.”
   Lizotte also said that he plans to contact the Maine Department of Corrections to see if they can get some inmate labor assistance. “The building interior and exterior shell is about $200,000 and that may be something that the inmates could help with,” he said.
   The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office, like those of many other counties, was designed in the late 1880s with an upstairs apartment since the sheriff was required to live on the premises. Sheriff John Goggin’s office is in one of the rooms of the old apartment, accessible only through a narrow hallway and up a steep staircase.
   The squad room, often shared by three or four deputies, is cramped with little or no privacy for interviews.
   Lizotte said that the county will have to sell the idea of the new sheriff’s office to voters “who are traditionally very frugal. I’m sure there’s a lot of support for a new office, especially from those who have seen the old one.”
   Lizotte added that one advantage is that Piscataquis County has no debt. “We paid off the jail in 2007,” he said.
   By law, county voters have to approve a bond to finance a project like the sheriff’s office and the referendum has to be held on the same date as a statewide election. So the next opportunity for such a vote will be the June primary election in 2016, Lizotte said.
   There is also a lot of paperwork involved prior to the vote such as obtaining legal advice on the wording of the referendum and securing a bond.
   The commissioners didn’t take an official vote on supporting the project, but all three praised Wolfertz’s presentation.
   Commissioner James White said that when public hearings are held in advance of the referendum, photographs of the current sheriff’s office should be on display. “Once they see how bad it is, the need (for a new building) will be obvious,” he said.