FARMINGTON – Franklin County commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to award a building contract for an 8- by 16-foot addition to the sheriff’s office to Baker Hill Builders of Freeman.

Offering the lowest of four bids at $7,900, the builders were commended for their work on Church Street Commons. Other bids were received from Farmington Construction for $14,500, Greg Shaw for $14,580 and Janna Co. for $9,800.

The space is needed for the installation of upgraded 911 communications equipment. That equipment will allow the department to handle an expected increase in calls when it starts receiving emergency calls from wireless phones. Those calls now are handled by state police dispatchers.

In other business, commissioners set the county tax rate. This year the rate is half a mill less than last year, said Commissioner Gary McGrane. The tax rate will be $1.05 for every $1,000 of property value, compared to $1.10 last year.

Farmington Code Enforcement Officer Steve Kaiser sought input from commissioners on the town’s Church Street project. The project will create a one-way street with new sidewalks, parallel parking and better access to the Anson Street county parking lot.

Commissioners wondered if the courthouse parking lot on Church Street would be affected by the creation of five parallel parking spaces on the road side of the lot. Planters would replace concrete blocks separating the street and parking lot. With traffic, parking and snow in the winter, county employees had concerns over visibility when entering and exiting the lot.

Kaiser agreed to look into whether four parking spaces in front of the lot would be better and told commissioners that plans will not be finalized until the public can comment on them. A hearing will be held in coming months. The project would be done in the summer.

Commissioners also set a public hearing for May 1 on a petition by William O’Brien to extend winter maintenance four-tenths of a mile on Reed Road in Salem.