AUBURN — The Androscoggin County commissioners said Wednesday that it will continue withholding rent payments on the building on Lisbon Street that is home to the District Attorney’s Office.
Last month, commissioners voted to stop paying the $4,500 monthly rent for use of the second floor at 55 Lisbon St. until the chronic issues with the building are resolved. The building is located adjacent to the 6th District Court.
Problems include an elevator that has not worked since the fall of 2022. The roof leaks. Earlier this year, the building had no electricity for four consecutive days.
The county has been in the building for approximately eight years and has three years remaining on its lease.
Built in 1921, the three-story structure is also home to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ regional office on the first floor. The third floor is vacant.
According to records from the Androscoggin County Register of Deeds, the property is owned by Financial Center Associates.
Now two months behind in rent, the county has heard nothing from the building owner about paying the missing rent, said Mike Perry, the administrator in the DA’s Lewiston office.
Perry said it appears the elevator is finally being looked at for repairs and was informed that a broken part should arrive by March 18.
The county will revisit the issue each month.
The state is planning to eventually purchase the building at 55 Lisbon St., knock out the walls between that building and the District Court, and connect the hallways to provide needed space for the court to allow attorney and their clients a place for private consultations.
Looking for a new facility in downtown Lewiston, Perry said he has looked at about a half-dozen buildings so far. He said he will provide more information on his search in the next month or two.
He added that the real estate market has changed and rent payments will likely be more expensive.
The county has approximately two years to find a new home.
In other business, commissioners agreed to spend $9,987.20 in American Rescue Plan funds for 80 new batteries for the portable radios from Dirigo Wireless.
Sheriff Eric Samson, who is also the interim county administrator, said the current batteries are no longer holding a charge for an entire 12-hour shift. That could leave deputies at risk with limited or no radio contact if they are away from their cruiser.
The current batteries are more than 15 years old.
The purchase will allow each employee to have two batteries.
The board also approved the county tax assessment. According the county treasurer Clarice Proctor the new rate is 0.00105. which is lower than the current rate of 0.00114.
The total tax to be collected from the 14 municipalities in the county is $13,801,410.
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