Houlton council approves bid for new Aroostook County Jail

The Houlton Town Council has unanimously approved a proposal to host the new Aroostook County Jail within the town. The proposal includes a recommendation for a specific land parcel to house the new multimillion-dollar correctional facility.

Planners estimate the cost of the new facility could exceed $112 million. By keeping the jail in Houlton, the county seat, officials argue they can reduce costs and streamline the approval process. Keeping the facility in Houlton would require only one financing vote, whereas moving it to another location would necessitate three separate referendum votes.

The town aims to submit its proposal by the September 28 deadline. Securing the land is a critical step in a multi-year process to replace the existing jail, which has served the county for over a century.