Commissioners sign first letterhead with new logo

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A new Piscataquis County logo is about to appear in print as the county commissioners signed the first letterhead with the logo during a meeting on Tuesday morning.

Previously Piscataquis County never had a logo of its own, instead various emblems and icons have been used over the years. That all changed with a student logo contest held earlier this year. Fourteen submissions came in and then SeDoMoCha Middle School eighth-grader Dean Gallagher had his design chosen by a panel of judges as the winning work of art to go on the county flag, letterhead, online, and more.

County Manager Mike Williams said the only enhancement in Gallagher’s winning design was with the wording, Dirigo and Piscataquis County. “I think it looks very nice, I like it,” Williams said.

Gallagher was recognized during a commissioners meeting last month, joined by family members and his art teacher. Commissioners Chairperson Andy Torbett presented him a framed plaque along with a check for $300, with $200 coming from the county and another $100 from an anonymous benefactor.

The logo contest was open to students in schools across the region, as well as home-schoolers, as they were asked to envision Piscataquis County to celebrate the region’s heritage and beauty.

Other Maine counties have had logos on county websites, but Piscataquis County never had one of its own. Williams broached the idea of designing an official logo for Piscataquis County when he first took on the position, and it came up again more recently after Commissioner Paul Davis asked for business cards.  

In other business, Head of Maintenance Josh York told the commissioners that as of October the jail camera system will not be able to take any more updates as the Windows operating program is out of date.

York said there are two options, one with a licensing fee per camera. The second option is more expensive up front — Sheriff Bob Young mentioned a $33,000 figure — with a license system purchased initially but upgrades would be covered annually moving forward.

“If money’s in the budget now it would be better because everything gets more expensive with time,” York said.

Williams said money for the camera system upgrade would need to come from capital accounts and he would need to go through these to find the access sources of funding. He plans to research the accounts and should have something to bring before the commissioners at the next meeting.

The commissioners approved $35,000 for the CMC Technology Group for cabling. 

“They should be starting late this week or early next week,” Williams said, with half of the expenditure being paid up front.

The cabling upgrade will alleviate internet issues at the county campus on East Main Street. The improvement has been discussed previously but the Piscataquis County Commissioners formally approved the expenditure of approximately $71,000 for the upgrade during a meeting last month.

County Manager Mike Wiliams said during previous discussions about the county HVAC system he brought up the need for fixed cabling and how the approximate price has risen to $71,000 from the original quote of $57,000 two years ago. He said issues stem from the copper being connected to fiber, which has caused email and fax issues. He said CMC Technology Group is a state-approved vendor for the work.

During a May meeting Williams said the Piscataquis County Emergency Management Agency is unable to have the same internet speed upstairs at the Peaks House as staff can use downstairs.