# October 7th, 2026 - Somerset County Maine - Commissioners Meeting


**Body:** Somerset County Maine
**Date:** October 07, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Healthcare, Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding


Somerset County Commissioners meeting, October 7, 2026. Commissioners approved a $15,000 community benefit award to Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County, the hiring of five correctional officers, and a fire-protection contract with New Portland for the unorganized territory. They also approved a treasurer’s award totaling $1,259,300.33, which included a $572,000 payment for paving Long Falls Dam Road. The county reported a federal grant of approximately $3.1 million over five years for its jail medication-assisted treatment program, covering medication and related staffing; commissioners discussed retaining existing opioid-settlement funds and potentially using future annual receipts for a more limited matching-grant program. A separate $1.2 million funding request remains under consideration, with no decision reported.

Facilities and infrastructure needs were discussed for upcoming budgets: the county is seeking quotes for repairs to the deteriorating concrete entrance ramp and considering elevator-component renewal. A roughly $140,000 quote to convert the jail boiler for dual natural-gas and oil use was discussed, with staff asked to assess potential savings before proceeding. For unorganized-territory infrastructure, preliminary budget figures included $600,000 each for roads and bridges. Commissioners requested a quote for bridge guardrails for next spring and discussed, but did not decide on, replacing the Upper Sandy Streams Bridge; an engineering estimate was about $765,000, with discussion suggesting bids could exceed $1 million. The county is also evaluating custodial staffing versus contracted service. A motion directing the administrator to develop a solution for non-emergency calls reaching the 911 center by January 1, 2027, passed; the administrator will consult affected communities and agencies.

**Source:** Somerset County Maine