FARMINGTON – Franklin County Sheriff’s Department has been recognized by the Maine County Commissioners’ Association for its safe driving record.

The department tied for first with other sheriff’s departments in Kennebec, Hancock and Somerset counties, according to information sent to the county by Malcolm L. Ulmer, risk manager for the association.

Each of the departments will receive a $2,500 award. The Lincoln County department earned a fifth place award and is to receive $1,000, according Ulmer’s email.

The Safe Driving Awards were issued at last weekend’s convention.

According to a risk manager at the MCCA Risk Pool, the Safe Driving Award dates back to at least 1995, Franklin County Deputy Clerk Charisse Keach said in an email.

Annual awards totaling $5,000 were given to three counties until 2006 when the award increased to $10,000 distributed between five counties, she said.

Prior to 2006, the award was based on the total number of vehicles and the amount of claim dollars paid on “chargeable” accidents, Keach said. Since then, the award is based on the amount of claim dollars paid on chargeable accidents per mile driven to create a more fair and equitable approach for those counties with smaller fleets of vehicles, she said.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Department also tied for first place in 1999, 2005 and 2008. It tied for second place in 1995 and fifth place in 2009, Keach’s information shows.

In his email to the county, Ulmer congratulated all counties who won. He thanked them for making 2010 an excellent year in terms of controlling claims costs associated with automobile accidents.

“Your efforts play an important role in allowing the Risk Pool to keep its annual member assessments at a reasonable level,” he told them.

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