FARMINGTON — Franklin County sheriff’s detectives are settling into their newly created offices, where dispatchers handled 911 emergency calls until late April.

The three detectives have separate work spaces that interconnect. A new interview room was built where the dispatch supervisor’s office was located.

The building was too small to house the deputies and dispatchers, so the new Regional Communications Center was built across from the building on County Way, where the dispatchers are now.

There is a new, smaller lobby at the entrance of the Sheriff’s Department building. On the wall is a mural of the old jail to greet visitors. A sliding window looks into the office of Secretary Elaine Fitch, who gets up to assist people.

Behind the lobby wall is a new area.

Walls were taken down to create hallways to the offices and to create a new, open space where deputies and Maine State Police troopers can work on their reports and other tasks.

The once-larger secretary’s office has been divided in half to make a room for the copier and other equipment and supplies.

Renovation work on the building will continue.

Deputy Kevin Hartley, owner of Hartley Construction of Anson, is doing the renovations at a reduced cost. Deputies are helping with the work to keep the cost down, Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. said.

The department has also switched over to LED lighting to reduce lighting expenses.

“Eventually, we will get a $3,600 credit from Efficiency Maine,” he said.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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