FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners unanimously voted to hire three men to fill new positions created at the detention center due to the state taking over the jail.

The Maine Department of Corrections converted the Farmington jail to a 72-hour holding facility as of July 1.

That meant restructuring staff, including nine layoffs, and the creation of four new positions. Jail administrator positions were eliminated and a jail manager position created. Commissioners hired Doug Blauvelt as the jail manager earlier this month.

On Tuesday, they officially hired former county corrections officer Aaron Marden to fill a new custodial position.

Blauvelt said four people who applied for the job were interviewed.

Marden had started the job on July 10 with preliminary approval from commissioners.

The grass needed to be mowed and County Clerk Julie Magoon called each commissioner to get approval for Marden to start a day after the interviews were done, commission Chairman Fred Hardy of New Sharon said.

Marden will make $10.98 an hour, less than what he was making as a corrections officer for the county.

Commissioners also hired Albert Smith as transport supervisor for the jail. Smith had held the transport officer position for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, but with the switch to the state overseeing the detention center, Smith now works for the jail. His pay will remain the same at $17.91 an hour.

Phil Richards, also a former corrections officer supervisor for the county, was hired as a transport utility officer for the jail. He’ll make $15.75 an hour, which is a decrease in pay.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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