AUBURN – The County Commission authorized a transfer of $50,000 to pay for security upgrades at the Androscoggin County Courthouse Wednesday.

County Treasurer Robert Poulin requested that the $50,000 be transferred from the undedicated reserve account to the building repairs account. Transfers between accounts require commission approval. The vote was unanimous.

Poulin said after the meeting that the funding is needed to pay for a security door and other security upgrades at the courthouse.

In other business, the commission authorized the expenditure of $8,550 to Simpson and Sons Paving for repairs to the parking lot at the jail and the inner courtyard. The commission also approved the spending of $1,050 to Simpson and Sons for repairs to a drain.

In another matter, District Attorney Norm Croteau requested renewal of the Victim-Witness Advocate grant for 2004. The cost of retaining the program is $40,000, with $29,988 returned to the county as a reimbursement.

County Clerk Patricia Fournier said that grant has been renewed for five or six years.

County Commissioner Patience Johnson asked if the commission should take any action before the Budget Committee addresses the matter in upcoming budget deliberations.

Johnson made a motion to fund the program subject to Budget Committee approval on a recommendation by Commission Chairman Elmer Berry.