The Two Bridges Regional Jail Authority on Nov. 8 gave Administrator James Bailey the authority to enter into a contract with the Bernstein Shur law firm. The firm, chosen following a request for proposals, will replace the authority’s attorney who retired in October.

The authority also approved extending a temporary contract with Penobscot County Jail, with the same terms as the contract with Oxford County.

The authority reviewed this year’s audit report and noted the only issue was that the operating reserves were not high enough to suit the auditor. However, several members said having adequate reserves would put the jail out of compliance with state statutes regarding the holding of reserves. “We joke about it,” Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry said. “But I think we should do something to encourage our representatives to change that statute.”

Bailey was elevated to being a colonel, the rank given to jail administrators.