PARIS — With the number of COVID-19 infections rising throughout the county due to the delta variant, Oxford County employees and visitors to the county complex on Western Avenue must wear masks.

The policy began Monday following a meeting with all department heads, County Administrator Donald Durrah told Commissioners David Duguay of Bryon, Steven Merrill of Norway and Chairman Timothy Turner of Buckfield at their Tuesday meeting.

“We thought it was time to go back to the emergency policy,” Durrah said.

Employees do not have to wear masks while sitting at their desks, since workstations are generally 6 feet apart. But when they leave their stations, sit in the break rooms or walk through the hallways, masks must be worn.

Durrah praised all department heads, who he said freely gave their views and listened to one another about how to respond to the growing pandemic. While not everyone was in favor of returning mask-wearing during the initial conversations, they all eventually supported the plan to keep their employees safe and to maintain a safe work environment.

“The department heads helped me make the decision that had to be made,” Durrah said.

If the situation gets worse and commissioners can no longer meet in person, Durrah said his staff is exploring purchasing  equipment to improve the county’s capability to hold remote meetings via Zoom.

In other business, the county received a $5,687 dividend check from the Maine Municipal Association for successfully limiting injuries in the workplace and having favorable risk management practices.

The MMA offers a self-funded pool for workers’ compensation to municipal and quasi-public entities.

Treasurer Beth Calhoun told commissioners the county budget is in excellent shape. Expenditures are at 53% of the budget, not 58% she would expect at this time of year.

Commissioners reviewed a letter sent by Jane Rich of Andover concerning East B Hill Road in Upton. A  major logging operation a few years ago revealed a view of the White Mountains as well as Umbagog Lake, Rapid River and Richardson Lake. She compared the view to Height of the Land on Route 17 in Rangeley, and asked the county to spend money to clear the new tree growth that now obscures the view.

East B Hill Road runs from Upton Road in Andover west to Route 26 in Upton on the New Hampshire border.

Commissioners said they likely don’t have jurisdiction over the land, but would look into who owns the property to see what could be done.

Commissioners accepted the resignation of dispatcher Jon Bolduc, who has accepted a similar position with the state. Bolduc indicated he would be willing to return as a part-time dispatcher for the county.

Hiring and retaining employees is growing more difficult as local governments and private industries compete for workers in the same labor pool, Durrah said, while county administrators throughout the state shared their concerns on the topic at a recent meeting. Wages are growing, forcing some municipalities and counties to begin offering certain benefits, such as hiring bonuses. To remain marketable, Durrah told commissioners the county at some point may need to look into offering bonuses or increase wages.

County Budget Committee caucuses will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. at three locations. District 1, represented by Merrill, will be held at the Lovell Lions Club, 2081 Main St. District 2, represented by Duguay, will be held at Med Care, 290 Highland Terrace, Mexico. District 3, represented by Turner, will be held at the commissioners’ office in the county courthouse at 26 Western Ave. in Paris.