Officer Recognized for Emergency Response
In Machias, Police Officer Jim Frauenhoffer was presented with the Lifesaving Award this Wednesday by Chief Keith Mercier. The honor acknowledges his immediate reaction to a medical crisis earlier this month, where he provided critical aid to an individual found without a pulse.
"In recognition of your prompt and alert action on Dec. 5, 2025, to a male subject who was found unresponsive with no pulse," Mercier stated during the Select Board meeting. "Your quick response and lifesaving techniques ensured his survival until advanced medical care could be rendered."
Frauenhoffer reached the location within two minutes and initiated CPR, continuing until paramedics arrived. The patient was stabilized and transported to a hospital.
Mercier noted that although the man later passed away, he survived for approximately a week, granting his family precious moments together. "We didn’t have the outcome we wanted," Mercier said. "Without Jim’s efforts, he wouldn’t have survived a day. He wouldn’t have made it to the hospital."
Emergency Services Trends Discussed
During the meeting, Town Manager Sarah Craighead-Dedmon highlighted a significant rise in emergency calls. Ambulance responses have jumped from 1,118 in 2023 to 1,816 so far in 2025. "There’s a pretty steep growth curve in what they’re responding to," she remarked. Fire Department calls have also increased, from 122 last year to 137 this year.
"Living in Machias, you have really strong emergency services for sure," Craighead-Dedmon added after reviewing department reports.
Board Actions on Community Needs
The Select Board approved emergency assistance for a residence lacking heating, opting to purchase a propane furnace from 3rd Generation Energy Services for $12,750. "This is an emergency. It’s cold," Craighead-Dedmon explained. "They don’t have heat and no way to get it." Select Board Chair Jacob "Jake" Patryn commented, "That’s a pretty good price." The town will place a lien on the property as collateral until it is sold.
Additionally, the board discharged debt collection for two properties on Armstrong Lane due to unknown ownership. "It makes sense," Patryn said. "We don’t even know who owns it."
Craighead-Dedmon also announced the town's website transition from MachiasME.org to MachiasME.gov, with redirects in place for a year. "I love it because it’s seamless," she said. "This makes it so that if people remember .org, they’ll be OK to reach us."
The next Select Board meeting is set for Jan. 14, 2026.
