PARIS – County commissioners agreed to consider adding an equipment room to the communications center and approved promotions of two deputies Tuesday.

James Miclon, director of the county Regional Communications Center, said the center’s 911 system would be upgraded with a Global Positioning System mapping program, which will be able to pinpoint where a call originates. He expects the system to include cell phones by August, though he said the system would not be as accurate for such calls.

Miclon also requested that a new room be constructed at the RCC to hold the equipment.

Commissioner Steven M. Merrill of Norway said the board would consider the request after visiting the site.

Miclon said the Department of Homeland Security would pay about 40 percent of the cost of constructing a new communications tower on Spruce Mountain in Greenwood.

Sheriff Wayne Gallant of the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office said the portable radios of the department have been enabled with repeaters to boost their signal, avoiding problems when a deputy has to leave the proximity of his vehicle.

He announced the arrival of the department’s new sport utility vehicles, one of which is already on patrol. He expected the other to be ready shortly. Gallant expects the vehicles to enable deputies to travel on rougher roads and get to more remote sites.

Gallant recognized the savings brought about by giving deputies county phones, a measure discussed at the last meeting, but said the phones were often not carried during off-duty hours. He proposed changing the department’s pagers to alphanumeric ones to alert off-duty officers in the event of a major emergency, a measure the commissioners approved.

The sheriff’s office also plans to establish a confidential interview room closer to the district attorney’s office and arm the corrections department with two firearms seized by criminal forfeiture.

The commissioners approved the promotions of Deputies Brian Landis and Justin Brown to corporals, effective June 1.

Commissioners reviewed bids from three companies to reclaim and pave sections of Patte Brook Road, Songo Pond Road, and two sections of Vernon Street in Albany Township. Pine Tree Paving of Norway bid $317,975.20 for the project, Pike Industries of Lewiston bid $275,764.33, and Bruce Manzer Inc. of Anson bid $259,001.89. The commissioners voted to give the project to Manzer.

Scott Parker, director of the Oxford County Emergency Management Agency, said 67 people have filed for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency following the Patriot’s Day storm. He said people and towns can still apply for individual and public assistance for damages through the county EMA.

Carole Mahoney Fulton, administrative assistant to the commissioners, said fuel tanks at the Oxford County Regional Airport will be moved in the next week and that Oxford Aviation is two months behind on rent.

The commissioners also approved the replacement of Susan Buckley, assistant to the district attorney, with Lisa Mack, who works in the clerk’s office at the Oxford County Superior Court. Buckley will be leaving her position May 25.

The commissioners’ next meeting is June 19.