PARIS — A looming mandate from the Legislature returning some local control of the county jail has officials scrambling to iron out a plan to facilitate and fund a system that hasn’t been in place for seven years. Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant told county commissioners Tuesday morning he’s not sure where an additional $1.1 million needed to […]
Oxford County Commissioners
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Oxford County ratifies deputies’ contract, boosts pay
PARIS — The Oxford County Commission has ratified a new three-year contract with sheriff’s deputies that boosts pay and tweaks their working relationship, ending more than three years of occasionally contentious negotiations. Retroactive to Jan. 1, all 19 employees will receive a pay increase of $1.75 an hour, with 2 percent raises in 2016 and 2017. […]
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Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
County gives nod to extract dirt beneath Albany Basin Road
PARIS — Oxford County commissioners gave preliminary approval for a private landowner to extract sand from beneath a county road as long as he repairs any damage caused by the project. Commissioners authorized county Administrator Scott Cole to look into an agreement with Harry Brown that would discontinue part of Albany Basin Road in Bethel […]
Posted inBethel, Oxford Hills, River Valley
Signs ‘idiot-proof’ rough road in Oxford County
ANDOVER — Efforts to stop Canadian and out-of-state tractor-trailer drivers from following their GPS devices during winter from New Hampshire to Route 2 via Upton and Andover appear to be working, Oxford County Administrator Scott Cole said Friday. Earlier this winter, the county erected large orange signs at either end of East B Hill Road, […]
Posted inOxford Hills
Oxford County commissioners approve tax rate
PARIS — Oxford County commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved the county’s 2015 tax rate that will increase assessments an average of 3.29 percent for 36 towns and one unorganized territory. The rate is 79.9 cents per $1,000 of valuation. The total commitment of $5.42 million and the overlay of $27,000 were also approved. County Administrator Scott […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Tax hike prompts unofficial audit of Oxford County records
PARIS — A liaison for Albany Township residents will review Oxford County financial records over concerns officials improperly awarded contracts for repairs in the unorganized territories. In remarks to Oxford County commissioners Tuesday morning, Albany Township resident Jeffrey Rosenblatt said the lack of information around a 35 percent increase in residents’ tax bills has engendered a culture of […]
Posted inOxford Hills, The Franklin Journal
Former Maine trooper running for Oxford County commissioner
BUCKFIELD — Timothy Turner of Buckfield never expected to see his name on the ballot for Oxford County commissioner. A retired Maine State Police trooper, Turner was committed to keeping out of the race until he learned the seat in question specifically oversaw funding and contract negotiations with the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office. “This is something […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills, River Valley
Officials say drug agents needed in Oxford County
PARIS — Oxford County police and Sheriff’s Department officials say heroin continues to be the drug of choice and at the root of most, if not all, serious crimes. It’s available, it’s very cheap and Oxford County lacks sufficient resources to appropriately respond to the problem, according to Oxford County law enforcement officials. “The drug […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Albany Township residents question tax hike
PARIS — Residents of Albany Township balking at their tax bills that have jumped dramatically have been told by Oxford County officials the money is required for badly needed road repairs. Taxes in Albany Township, one of 19 unorganized territories administered by Oxford County in lieu of a local municipal government, rose 17 percent this year. […]