FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners voted Tuesday to postpone hiring a second secretary for the Sheriff’s Department until Jan. 1.

Concerns were raised about hiring a new secretary and then having the position eliminated.

Commissioners made the decision based mostly on Sheriff-elect Scott Nichols Sr.’s plan to do away with the second secretary in the sheriff’s office. He plans to use the money saved, along with money saved by eliminating the position held by Sgt. Steven Lowell, to create a second lieutenant, Nichols said. Nichols, who was not at the meeting, said Lowell will be moving up to be his chief deputy on Jan. 1.

As for the secretarial work, Nichols said he believed that it should be reduced with the new reporting program the county has installed.

Prior to the vote, current Chief Deputy Ray Meldrum said that they received 26 applications for the second secretary’s position.

Commissioners did away with the office-manager position after Penny Cammferin transferred to be a utility dispatcher earlier this year. Instead commissioners advertised for a second secretary.

The hiring process had started prior to Election Day.

Meldrum said they went through the interview process.

He proposed hiring Victoria Parker of Kingfield, who was scheduled to start Tuesday. Meldrum said she has an extensive military background among other attributes that qualify her for the job.

In view of the fact that the sheriff-elect had not taken office yet, Commissioner Fred Hardy of New Sharon questioned filling the position.

Sheriff Dennis Pike said that he invited Nichols to the interviews and Nichols told him that he was confident that they would make a good decision.

Commissioner Clyde Barker of Strong said he read an online paper and saw that Nichols wants to cut the second secretary position.

If he’s going to change the structure, Barker said, he was concerned about the person being hired and then be let go.

“I’m just thinking of the person,” he said. “I realize the two secretaries are very busy.”

The office has had two secretary’s for 20 years, Meldrum said. He said Nichols should come and see the work that is being done.

“It is not up to them,” Meldrum said of Nichols’ decision prior to taking office. He also said that if anyone was getting ahead of making decisions, it was the sheriff-elect.

He referred to Nichols’ plans as “quite wishy-washy.”

Hardy motioned to postpone making a decision on a second secretary until Jan. 1, 2013.

He added the caveat that in view of the fact that a person had been selected that person be considered if the secretary’s position remains.

“I don’t think the world will come to an end” if the second secretary is not hired right away, Commission Chairman Gary McGrane of Jay said.

The applicants need to be notified of the postponement, he said.

Hardy also said that the sheriff-elect should not be making policy now since the county already has a sheriff and his term does not expire until Dec. 31.

“He’s not the sheriff yet,” he said.

Meldrum said he would bring the 26 applications for the secretary to Clerk Julie Magoon.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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