York County Commissioners hire officers, approve vehicle bids, more at September session
- Tammy L Wells
- Sep 9
- 2 min read
ALFRED, Maine – York County Commissioners approved the hiring of correctional officers and other county personnel at their Sept 3 meeting, voted on a bid for six vehicles at York County Sheriff’s Office and heard a positive update on the York County Jail food services and commissary contracts.
Commissioners in August had approved Trinity Services Group of Oldsmar, Florida as the food services vendor at York County Jail contingent on final figures based on menu, food costs and inmate census.
“The overall cost of the food service is dependent on how many residents we have,” at any given time, said York County Jail Administrator Lori Marks. “It is a sliding scale for price per meal, (and) is estimated at roughly $500,000 annually.”
“(It’s like) a breath of fresh air,” said York County Manager Greg Zinser of the new vendor.
Marks agreed. “So far, the menu is much better, and the quality of food is significantly improved,” she said.
The contract is for three years, but is renewable, and if the arrangement runs five years, kitchen upgrade costs would be absorbed by the vendor, the company pledged.
The chosen commissary vendor, Keefe Commissary Services of Edison, NJ, will offer a wider array of items to inmates, with 342 available items, rather than the 207 items offered by the sole other bidder. There is no cost to the county government for commissary services. Jail residents may purchase snacks, hygiene products, and clothing items like socks and undergarments through the commissary. Under the terms of the commissary agreement, the county will receive a 15 percent commission on sales, which is used to fund programs for inmates.
York County Sheriff William King noted last month that item prices at the jail commissary tend to be similar to what they would be at a gas station or convenience store.
Pamela Morrill and Delia Sanborn were hired as corrections officers at York County Jail and will attend an upcoming Corrections Academy. As well, Heath Bryant, who has been a reserve correctional officer, transferred to fulltime status.
Commissioners approved the hiring of Ryan Gaudreau and J. David McLean as reserve public safety instructors with the York County Regional Training Center.
The bid for six Ford Explorers was awarded to Arundel Ford at a cost of $275, 514, as recommended by Major Paul Mitchell of the sheriff’s office.
Commissioners agreed to cancel the Sept. 17 meeting due to concerns about the likelihood of an available quorum that day, but if a critical matter arises, they will schedulea special meeting, with the date and time to be announced.
