AUBURN — Androscoggin County commissioners Wednesday promoted acting jail administrator Lt. Jeff Chute to be permanent jail administrator.

The commissioners unanimously approved Sheriff Eric Samson’s recommendation to award Chute the position of jail administrator along with the title of captain.

Chute, 45, has worked for the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department since 1995, the past eight years as assistant jail administrator. He became the acting administrator last fall following the retirement of Capt. John Lebel after a 37-year career with the Sheriff’s Department.

Chute said he has goals for what he would like to accomplish but said any plans will have to wait until a decision is made in the Legislature on whether the jails will be run by the county or the state.

He begins his new role Sunday, April 5.

The commissioners also approved a job description for the register of deeds. The new County Charter calls for the position to be appointed by the commissioners annually rather than elected.

The commissioners also voted to advertise the position.

Tina Chouinard is the current register of deeds.

Commissioners voted to go into executive session twice — once for discussion of personnel issues midway through the meeting and the other at the end of the public meeting to discuss labor contracts.


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