CHESTERVILLE – Doug Blauvelt, a part-time corrections officer since January, was promoted to full time on Tuesday in a collective vote by county commissioners.

He replaces Melissa Wales, who resigned on Sept. 2.

Blauvelt, a member of the Chesterville Volunteer Fire Department and the manager of a small farm in Chesterville, also has been working full time for the Farmer’s Union in Farmington.

“I can’t imagine a better worker,” said commissioner Fred Hardy of New Sharon, who knows Blauvelt through the farming community.

Alternatives’ group claims jail savings

FARMINGTON – County commissioners were so pleased with the savings in avoided costs at the jail, thanks to the innovative work of Community Correction’s Alternatives, they opted to enter into a three-year contract with CCA instead of a one-year contract that was on the table.

The for-profit CCA provides alternatives to jail for those incarcerated or making the transition back into the community after jail time, using tools like electronic monitors, counseling and clinical supervision.

According to CCA President Bill Tanner, the county avoided nearly $500,000 in costs this past fiscal year, thanks to his company. Electronic monitoring allowed inmates to leave jail a total of 310 days earlier, a $31,000 savings to the county.

Medical costs represented the biggest savings, as one inmate who was released into CCA’s jurisdiction racked up $347,000 in medical expenses, which – because he was not in jail – were picked up by Medicaid instead of the county. If not for CCA, Tanner explained, the inmate still would have been in jail when the medical conditions occurred.

CCA employees 88 people, 44 of whom are from the Franklin County, Tanner said.

The innovative services and effort provided by Community Corrections Alternatives are “on the cutting edge,” said Sheriff Dennis Pike. “It’s a great economic benefit.”

The new contract, for an undisclosed amount, runs from Oct. 1 of 2003 through Sept. 30 of 2006.

Department seeks funding split

FARMINGTON – The county sheriff’s department collected more than $1,000 in criminal forfeiture but decided to turn half of it back to the New England States Police Information Network.

According to Lt. Niles Yeaton of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, $1,094 in cash was picked up at a narcotics deal set up by the county that led to the arrest of Nowell Hinkley of Strong.

On Tuesday, Yeaton asked county commissioners to accept $547 of that money and then agree to give the other half back to the network because it provides equipment, technical support and tips that helps local authorities crack cases. “It’s just prudent,” Yeaton said. “Because they are so good to us.”

Yeaton stressed that the goal of his department in arresting drug dealers is not for the criminal forfeitures but to stop the sale and use of drugs in Franklin County communities and hold those who are capitalizing on the illegal market accountable.

Weld couple get property tax break

WELD – County commissioners unanimously agreed to grant a partial tax abatement to a couple who has a seasonal home on Webb Lake in Weld and say they shouldn’t have to pay full price on bad land.

Pat and Tuck Eudy told commissioners they shouldn’t be taxed full price on their 1.1-acre parcel of land because only 43 percent of it was usable, and the rest is wetland. The couple’s property has been valued at $145,000, a rate they think is unfair.

The Eudys requested that commissioners grant them a 50 percent reduction on the 57 percent of the land that is unbuildable. The buildable piece of the property would be valued at $1.99 per square foot, but the unusable land would be assessed at 99 cents per square foot.

With a 12.4 mill rate, as was in Weld last year, the new valuation would save the couple more than $300 per year.

Several other parcels on the lake got reduced valuations because of unusable land when the assessors surveyed their properties. However, the Eudys say they were not present when the assessors came to the property.

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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