AUBURN — The Androscoggin County Commission elected Sally Christner of Turner as chairwoman for the 2017 session during a short meeting Wednesday that included swearing in three new members.

Christner served as vice chairwoman last year before assuming taking over for Chairman Ronald Chicoine, who resigned last November.

Commissioners elected Matthew Roy of Lewiston as vice chairman.

The three newly elected commissioners — Noel Madore of Lewiston, Isaiah Lary of Wales and Zachary Maher of Poland — took their oath of office from county Treasurer Robert Poulin. 

Christner, Roy and Alfreda Fournier of Auburn are beginning their third year on the commission and are the most senior members serving on the board. Melissa Willette of Lewiston replaced Chicoine last month.

The one-hour, 45-minute meeting included a 59-minute executive session without an attorney to discuss strategy and select a negotiating team to meet with the county employees’ union to discuss a new contract.

Following a brief get-together Wednesday, the two sides are scheduled to meet the next two Wednesdays for negotiations.

County Administrator Larry Post discussed some of the county’s plans for the year, including moving the dispatch center to the first floor of the county building. That upgrade should allow the Sheriff’s Office to provide dispatch services to more towns in the county.

“We’re hoping to get everything in place by the end of June,” Sheriff Eric Samson said.

Other projects Post mentioned were restoring the clock tower atop the county building, reviewing personnel policy and health insurance and looking into bonding for building renovations, which was suggested by the Budget Committee last year.

Commissioners also set their meeting schedule for the next six months. With a couple of exceptions, meetings will be held on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

ssherlock@sunjournal.com