FARMINGTON – Franklin County commissioners voted to allow the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area to erect a sign with a thermometer on county property Tuesday.

The vote was contingent on it not violating Farmington’s sign ordinance.

The 4- by 8-foot sign has been constructed by Verso Paper, agency Executive Director Lisa Laflin told commissioners.

Selectmen denied a request to erect the sign on town property due to safety concerns on the traffic islands and recommended she make the request to the county, she said.

Laflin said the agency has met 52 percent of its $395,000 capital campaign drive and the effort is nearing an end. It is a critical time, Laflin said. The sign will only be up to the end of December or early January, she added.

The sign is expected to be erected outside the courthouse.

In other business, commissioners approved hiring six part-time corrections officers recommended by Jail Administrator Sandra Collins and Sheriff Dennis Pike. They had all been through the interview process, Collins said.

Hired were Donald Dufour of Jay, Brian Lynch of Farmington, Jay Haley of Madison, Justin Merrigan of Phillips, Austin Thorndike of Strong and Ginger Fails of New Sharon.

Commissioners also voted to reduce the mileage reimbursement amount from 58 cents to 55 cents per mile effective Jan. 1, 2009. The rate mirrors the federal Internal Revenue Services rate.