| Joanne Cole |
The agenda was routine but the meeting on Monday was not, as it marked the final Select Board meeting for Chair Dustin Ward and member Tammy Donovan. After four and six years’ service, respectively, Ward and Donovan decided not to run again. Each took the occasion of the board’s June 2 meeting to reflect on their service and to express appreciation for the opportunity.
Tammy Donovan described her time on the board as an honor and a privilege that was both “rewarding and challenging.” Her remarks drew a through-line from those who served in the past and brought the town to this point, to the two new board members who will join later in June.
In concluding, Donovan addressed the three continuing board members. “Steve, Peter, Colleen, see you on the other side of the podium,” prompting smiles and laughter in the Meetinghouse.
Chair Dustin Ward said that serving with his fellow members had been “an absolute pleasure.” He also expressed particular thanks to town staff, who he said keep the board on track and made it a treat to go into Town Hall and enjoy a bit of laughter each week. Ward also thanked the departments, saying he learned much both from working with them and hearing from them at the podium.
Ward continued, “Most importantly, to the citizens, the people of New Gloucester, thank you for believing in me. Thank you for seeing that I could do this and affirming that this little kid from Presque Isle can still continue on a trajectory and be something bold and that you allowed me to serve you in the way that I did.”
Ward concluded by reviewing some of the collective accomplishments the board could take pride in: policy revisions, bathrooms at the Fairgrounds, review of town-owned properties, removal of the salt and sand shed, board and committee revisions, a TIF review, among others. “I’m leaving out a ton more,” Ward said, adding that he, like Donovan, would see the board “on the other side.”
Their fellow board members and Town Manager Bill Kerbin thanked Ward and Donovan, and a sense of appreciation continued as the board worked through the agenda. After Donovan suggested a specific revision for the Public Works Director job description under discussion, member Colleen Strickler said to her, “You should stick around!” For his part, Ward has kept close track of past actions and the to-do list, and as he prepared to adjourn the meeting and sign off, Strickler said to him, “You’re going to continue to keep a list of agenda items, though, right?” “Nope!” said Ward.
Two first-time members will join the Select Board once the June 10 election results are final. [Read candidate profiles for the three contenders, Carolyn (Connie) Justice, Joshua James Pietrowicz, and Rachel Lyn Rumson at this link.]
Whoever the next members may be, their first meeting will be Monday, June 16. At this meeting, the board set them up with tasks that will be on that next agenda.
Appointments to town committees and boards. Unlike past years, no committees had more applicants than open seats this year, so appointments and reappointments were quick and uneventful. All applicants were appointed to three-year terms. Openings remain on several committees; contact the Town Office for an update if you’d like to serve.
One long-serving committee member who did not seek reappointment drew particular praise from member Peter Bragdon and the board: Richard Erwin of the Cable TV Committee. As liaison to the committee, Bragdon had worked with Erwin, whose expertise Bragdon called mind-boggling.
Bragdon and others thanked Erwin for his long service, some 27 years by Bragdon’s figuring. Over decades of changes in technology, equipment, and expectations, Erwin has been a constant presence in the Meetinghouse, at town meetings and community events, as well as behind the scenes, ensuring that gatherings are broadcast, recorded, shared and preserved. He will continue to pitch in as a volunteer.
Public Works Director job description revisions. With Public Work Director Ted Shane headed toward retirement, the board discussed revisions to the current job description for the position, now several years old.
Member Peter Bragdon noted, “The job has changed greatly over the years” and said it should also reflect recent planned changes in duties. Shane has directed Public Works, Buildings and Grounds, and the Transfer Station, but the Transfer Station now has an upgraded supervisor position. Board members discussed wording that would clarify the relationship between the Transfer Station role and the new Public Works/Building and Grounds Director.
Also discussed were whether a degree should be required for the Public Works Director position in addition to experience. “Degree preferred” seemed to be the landing spot. All appeared to agree on the value of requiring completion of Maine DOT’s “Local Road Scholar” program, which offers practical workshops with titles like “Everything about Asphalt,” “Drainage, Drainage, Drainage” and “Snow and Ice Control.”
On the Buildings and Grounds side, member Colleen Strickler suggested adding expectations for reporting annually on the condition of town buildings and developing a schedule for maintenance. Staff will take up those and other suggestions and return with a revised job description on June 16.
RFPs for a new pick-up and for paving and chip seal await clarification. The board took no action on draft RFPs for a replacement pick-up truck for Public Works and for proposed FY26 paving and chip seal. Instead, they’ll await clarifications from Director Ted Shane. On the pick-up, board members had questions about why a dual-wheel truck with a smaller bed was being proposed – different from the current unit.
On the paving and chip seal RFP, a question emerged about whether or how much of Bald Hill Road is or should be on the FY26 to-do list. The draft RFP had only the bit of Bald Hill Road starting on the far side of Route 122 to the Poland line. With Shane away, the question sent board members to check what had been presented to voters at the budget public hearing and town meeting in May. That yielded no definitive answer – and another item for the June 16 agenda.
Updates. Board members expressed appreciation for several recent events—the second Spoken Word Stage, the Memorial Day parade—and mentioned others coming up. Those included the Historical Society’s special opening of an exhibit on the history of Opportunity Farm on Saturday June 7, the Friends of the Library’s Book and Bake Sale on Sunday June 8 and Election Day on June 10.
Fire Rescue Chief Ryan Patton updated the board on NGFR’s 67 calls in May and its service supporting the Memorial Day parade and GNG High School seniors’ parade. The department will also support the upcoming Trek Across Maine from June 13 to 15, Patton said. The Trek is an annual cycling fundraiser for the American Lung Association; this year, it features starts and finishes at Pineland.
Patton also wanted to remind residents that the department has free house numbers for residents who lack them – critical for swift emergency response. Contact NGFR for more information: (207) 926-4142.
Watch the video of the Select Board’s June 2, 2025, meeting at this link. Find contact information for Select Board members and links to meeting agendas, minutes and related documents at this link.
