Wiscasset Police Lieutenant John Allen attended the Lincoln County Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning to ask for help in resolving parking problems in the area around the court house.

Allen told the commissioners the parking problems are very serious, especially when court is in session and when the grand jury is meeting. The problem will only get worse, according to Allen.

Currently the Superior Court only meets three months of the year, beginning in the spring. The plan is for it to meet every other month, which means it will meet six months of the year.

Allen suggested the county have less reserved parking spaces and put bags over reserved parking space signs when the person is not going to be at the court house. The Judge of Probate, for example, is only there one day a week. He also suggested that court employees park in the sheriff's department back parking lot when court is in session.

Wiscasset is looking at a new ordinance that would limit parking on High Street to just one side of the street. The reason for the change is because emergency vehicles are not able to get through the street with cars parked on both sides, according to Allen.

Allen said he had requested permission from the St Philips Episcopal Church to use their parking lot during the high peak times. However, he has not heard from them yet. He also suggested parking at the Wiscasset town office.

The commissioners agreed with suggestions made by Allen, and will send a letter to department heads encouraging them to park in back of the sheriff's department.

Allen and Lincoln County Chief Deputy Kenneth Mason will make a map for visitors at the court house that shows parking areas.

County Administrator James McMahon said, "We have started in motion something good."

"I will do everything I can," Allen said, "I am just asking for your help."

"We want to cooperate with you," Commissioner William Blodgett said.

There is a problem with the heating system recently installed under the outside courthouse patio. The system is supposed to heat the concrete so that snow and ice will melt in the winter. According to McMahon, all parties involved in the construction of the project will meet this week to determine the problem and who is responsible for fixing it.

McMahon received word that perhaps an electrical part was incorrectly installed, and that may be all it will need to correct the problem. The county has not accepted the patio project as complete; $7,500 has been withheld from the contractor until the county is satisfied with the work.

The commissioners authorized Emergency Management Director Tim Pellerin to open talks with the Chelsea Fire Department to provide 911 service from the Lincoln County Communications Center.

Pellerin also told the commissioners he had been contacted by four other towns interested in discussing the service.

The amount of service provided by the county would determine the fee from the towns, according to Pellerin. A fee could be charged for each type of call, such as 911 calls, dispatch calls, fire and police calls.

The commissioners will soon appoint or re-appoint members to the Lincoln/Sagadahoc Jail Authority.

The terms of Charles Ault and Dan Bradford will expire January 31, 2008. They are expected to make the appointments at their next meeting, January 7, 2008.

The commissioners approved 10 new job descriptions for the sheriff's department, and deleted the job descriptions that are no longer applicable with the closing of the Lincoln County Jail.

The commissioners will add an overtime line to the District Attorney's budget of $500.

The courthouse vending machines will be serviced by New England Vending Company from Union.

The county will receive $1,500 for three cruisers they put out to bid.