FARMINGTON – In the very near future the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Communication Center will have not only brand new radio equipment, but a new office manager as well.

In a Franklin County Commissioners meeting held Tuesday morning, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency Director Tim Hardy announced the expected purchase of two brand new, state-of-the art consoles.

Each console, including additional equipment, would be purchased from Motorola and would cost more than $63,000. Hardy also pointed out that the current consoles, which date back 17 and 18 years, don’t quite make the grade.

There are plans to construct a third console with parts from the old equipment, as well as, new parts.

Also included in Hardy’s report was the announcement of Homeland Security grants for law enforcement to be given to Carrabassett Valley, Farmington, Jay, Wilton and the Sheriff’s Department for the upcoming year.

Hardy’s last piece of business was the projected relocation or addition of some county radio towers in the area, in order to alleviate dead spots. The change in location of towers and installment of repeaters would mean better communication within the county and affirm the county’s approach at reorganization.

In other news, Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike reported on the expected hiring of Penny Camfferman to fill the office manager position for the Sheriff’s Department. Camfferman has spent 18 years of tenure with the department and previously worked as its secretary.

Pike also announced that the department is currently looking for a replacement for Camfferman and have five qualified candidates already in mind.

In their last piece of business, commissioners all decided to amend the county parking ordinance policy. The amendment would include civilians as part of parking ticket personnel and would help alleviate the responsibility from police officers.

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