NEW GLOUCESTER — The Board of Selectmen elected officers and made many appointments at Monday’s meeting.
Steve Libby was unanimously re-elected chairman by a vote of 4-1. Linda Chase was chosen vice chairman, also 4-1.
Newly elected Selectman Laura Sturgis said that based on residents’ concerns about a divided board, she wanted to see Josh McHenry as vice chairman. That effort failed in a 3-2 vote.
Selectman Nat Berry IV said after Chase’s nomination, “I respect every person sitting here at this table. Linda to me, though she is quiet, has added a lot to the board. Her knowledge to me is vast and she has a good sense of the pulse of the town, and I am supportive of Linda.”
Other yearlong appointments by the board included:
* Paul First as town manager, road commissioner, tax collector, town clerk, treasurer, welfare administrator and Freedom of Access Act Officer.
* Sharlene Myers as acting town manager in the absence of the town manager.
* Debra Parks Larrivee as code enforcement officer, plumbing inspector, health officer and assessor’s agent.
* Gregory Joy as sealer of weights and measures.
* Douglas Bowie as fence viewer.
* Timothy Joy as emergency management director.
* Karen Peaco as animal control officer.
Selectmen approved carry forward funds to complete capital projects in fiscal year 2014-15. These include the Outlet Road Bridge engineering at $21,783; heating system at $6,010; and town hall windows at $8,041.52.
Other appointments include:
* Sean Chayer and Jean Couturier to three-year terms on the Budget Committee.
* Jean Libby to a three-year term on the Capital Improvement Planning Committee.
* Michael Bardier and Marilyn Brinnick to the Community Fair Committee.
* Paul N. Morin to the Library Board of Trustees.
* Joe Bean and Jean Libby reappointed to the Planning Board.
* Frank Chambers to the Public Safety Committee.
Prior to their meeting, selectmen met for nearly 90 minutes in executive session with its attorney for consultation on the threat to the town manager, selectmen, and town employees by New Gloucester resident Frank Staton Jr.
A Cumberland County court issued a temporary protection from harassment order several weeks ago. A court proceeding is expected to deal with threats against town employees and selectmen.
A Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department deputy was present during the entire board meeting Monday.
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