New cameras to be added to jail security system

DOVER-FOXCROFT — After briefly discussing the topic at each of last month’s meetings, the Piscataquis County Commissioners approved the purchase of 16 cameras to add to the Piscataquis County Jail security system during a meeting on Tuesday morning, Oct. 1.

Sheriff Bob Young and Jean Larson of the sheriff’s office said cameras need to be placed within the day areas of cell blocks as well as added to what is already in place in the cafeteria, laundry room, and day room. The cameras would record and hold footage for 120 days and the video would be available to review after incidents.

“If there’s a fight inside a cell we could see what actually happened,” Larson said.

Young said typically expenses over $5,000 need to go out to bid “but this would be an addition to a system that we already have.”

He said Minuteman Security & Life Safety of Saco has a price of $24,330 for the cameras and installation. “We have money in capital to cover this,” the sheriff said.

In other business, Maureen Conley was appointed by the commissioners as deputy director of the Piscataquis County Emergency Management Agency

County Manager Michael Wiliams said the interview committee met the week prior. “The committee came up with a unanimous decision,” as Conley had been working with the EMA since a staff transition was made in the summer.

In August Deb Hamlin was named director following a series of interviews the month prior. Hamlin had previously been serving as interim director.

Hamlin succeeded Jaeme Duggan. Hamlin had previously served as interim director capacity prior to Duggan’s hire and following the 2021 retirement of long-time Director Tom Capraro.