PARIS — The Oxford County Commission on Tuesday signed a proclamation for the Daughters of the American Revolution recognizing Constitution Week.

Constitution Week, which began in 1956 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower following a petition by the DAR, is celebrated annually from Sept. 17-23. Friday marked the 234th anniversary of the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

County Treasurer Beth Calhoun, Pat Jillson and Sheri Edwards represented the Elizabeth Wadsworth Chapter in Portland and the Molly Ockett Chapter from Bridgton at Tuesday’s signing. Both chapters include residents from Oxford County.

According to the resolution, the commissioners, “ask our citizens to reaffirm the ideals of the framers of the constitution had in 1787, by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties.”

In other business, commissioners approved spending up at $12,875 for a new firearms trailer, using money from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. The cost includes $1,000 trade-in for the old firearms trailer. The board also approved using the grant to buy safety equipment, including N95 masks.

The county adopted the standard policy for remote participation. The policy, now required by state law, is expected to be identical in all 16 counties.

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Commissioners also approved a change to the contract with SRL Architects of Portland, which is working on a new Oxford County Emergency Operations Center. The facility would include the Sheriff’s Office, communications center and Emergency Management Agency. The new contract will pay the architects $125 per hour.

Department heads are reporting brisk business in the county. Register of Deeds Cherri Crockett said her department has processed 16,000 documents so far this year, compared to 19,000 for all of last year. Register of Probate Jennifer Dilworth said her office will have processed 400 cases by the end of the month. She said it usually doesn’t reach that number until November or December.

Calhoun reported that finances are in good shape, with county expenditures under budget and revenues are over budget.

Jail Administrator Dana Dillingham said the transition to a full-time jail is ongoing with 42 inmates now housed in Paris and about 14 remaining at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

The board approved hiring Renee Bisbee as a reserve corrections officer.


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