The correctional administrator of Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset has been placed on paid administrative leave following his arrest for allegedly operating under the influence in Bath Friday night.
Mark Westrum, who has worked as the top administrator at the jail since 2008, was stopped on Front Street Friday night for allegedly driving without headlights and subsequently arrested and charged with OUI. He was taken to the Bath Police Department and later released on personal recognizance. He is scheduled to appear in West Bath District Court Nov. 22.
Wednesday, the Lincoln and Sagadahoc Multicounty Jail Authority held a special meeting at the jail at 4 p.m. and agreed to enter into executive session six minutes into the meeting to “discuss the appointment, assignment and duties of an individual,” according to the agenda.
After spending approximately an hour behind closed doors, media was allowed back into the meeting room where jail authority members voted unanimously to place Westrum on paid administrative leave until the next regular meeting on Nov. 9.
“The decision by the jail authority follows the arrest of the administrator by the Bath Police Department for operating under the influence,” jail authority chairwoman Mary Trescot told press, reading from a prepared statement after the vote.
“The action is taken in accordance with Two Bridges Regional Jail policy and procedure and ensure that daily operations continue uninterrupted,” Trescot added.
She said Corrections Captain James Bailey has assumed the duties of administrator pending future action by the authority.
Trescot said the jail authority will discuss how to move forward at its Nov. 9 meeting based on the information available at that point.
At the start of the meeting during the staffing update, Bailey said there had been three more resignations, including a supervisor, since the last meeting. That leaves nine open positions as of Nov. 3, he said.
Trescot said she has no concerns about operation of the jail while Westrum is on leave with Bailey taking on his duties, adding, “James has been an integral part of the jail in the past.”
Bailey said he was hired in August 2005 before the jail opened.
Westrum was absent at the jail Tuesday and Wednesday and took earned leave, Trescot said.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
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