FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners hired Douglas “Doug” S. Blauvelt of Farmington as the new detention center manager Tuesday. They also set his pay at $20,488 for the probationary six-month period.
Blauvelt was the assistant jail administrator until the state took over county jails and changed the Farmington jail to a 72-hour holding facility on July 1.
Commissioners and jail administrators did not learn until June 24 that the jail would stay open to temporarily house prisoners. Restructuring of jail staff meant layoffs for nine workers. Three others transferred to the Somerset County jail in Madison in April.
Blauvelt and former jail Administrator Sandra Collins were two of five candidates seeking the manager’s position.
There was an extensive hiring process, Sheriff Dennis Pike told commissioners Tuesday.
Candidates’ experience, education and military work were among the items that applicants were credited for, he said. They also had to undergo an oral review by a board. That board consisted of Clerk of Courts Vicki Hardy, county Clerk Julie Magoon, Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Raymond Meldrum, Detective Tom White, Lt. Niles Yeaton and Pike.
Pike asked commissioners to support the committee’s recommendation to hire Blauvelt.
They unanimously voted to do so.
Blauvelt has lived in Farmington since 1971 and was a Franklin County corrections officer holding the rank of sergeant when he was hired in April 2008 as the assistant jail administrator. He replaced Carl Stinchfield who retired.
Prior to becoming a corrections officer seven years ago, Blauvelt was a supervisor and warehouse manager for 14 years at Farmington Farmer’s Union.
“It’s nice to know what direction we’re going in,” Blauvelt said later in the day. “We know we are a 72-hour holding facility. We know we’re not closing down. … I think we’ve got a good crew working for us and some good candidates to fill positions. I think we’re off to a very good start.”
Positions left to be filled are a transportation supervisor, a utility/security officer and a custodian.
dperry@sunjournal.com
Douglas “Doug” S. Blauvelt was hired Tuesday as the new Franklin County Detention Center manager in Farmington.
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