News

Official recognition
Outgoing officials emotional, jobs well done
By Elizabeth Prata

Mid-June may seem like mid-summer to some people, to others it may just be the middle of the year, but educationally and politically, it is a time of completion. Seniors from area schools graduate, the school year concludes, and politically, elected terms end and the fiscal year closes.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Selectmen and Council said goodbye to colleagues who are finishing their terms and not seeking re-election. Stephanie Bryan's term as Vice-Chair of the Selectmen in New Gloucester ended Monday night with her final acts and signatures in official capacity. Tuesday, Gray Council Chair Pam Wilkinson and Vice-Chair Lynn Olson led their last Council meeting and ended their three-year terms.

Chair Steve Libby related his sentiments to Ms. Bryan. "Thank you Stephanie, for your service. It has been a pleasure to serve with you. I also appreciate your candor on the issues, though that does sometimes get your name in the newspaper," said Mr. Libby.

Selectmen Lenora Conger thanked Ms. Bryan as well and reminded the audience that Ms. Bryan's political legacy included helping with the transition with the Fire Department and in hiring current Town Manager Rosemary Kulow.

Ms. Bryan was visibly emotional when she said her goodbyes back to Mr. Libby. She thanked Mr. Libby for his friendship and loyalty, thanked Manager Rosemary Kulow and fellow Board members. Ms. Bryan also thanked reporter Ellie Fellers of the Lewiston Sun Journal for her fair reporting, and took her last moments at the microphone to decry The Monument's Sound Off column and spent time relating her negative opinion of the paper and its reporting, saying that at times she was terrified to open the paper for fear of the opinions and news articles inside about her.
Mr. Libby gave Ms. Bryan flowers, hugs were offered all around, and the meeting finished.

At the Gray Council meeting, it was a time for many thanks to several Department members before closing with the Councilor goodbyes. Gray Public Works Director Steve LaVallee was offered a plaque honoring his leadership and his Department's efficient and professional work during the winter. The unusual amount of storms, their frequency, and precipitation loads kept the crew busy, often as one storm blended into another for weeks on end. The Public Safety Committee members and Council liaison Richard Hall had recommended to Council that the Public Works Department be specially honored, and a plaque was prepared for Tuesday's bestowal. Left to right, Hall, Pelletier, and LaVallee. The Monument: Prata photo

Committee member Steve Pelletier Councilor Hall offered the plaque to Mr. LaVallee, who thanked his crew and said that they were definitely the best and most professional anywhere. Mr. LaVallee also recommended that the Council send a thank you note to the Department of Transportation, who maintains miles of roads in the winter and were also efficient.

Fire Chief Jon Barton is concluding his year as President of the New England Chiefs Association, capping a distinguished thirty-year career in public safety. Pam Wilkinson said Mr. Barton's tenure has been one that was committed to service and with unmatched dedication. The Council read a proclamation honoring the Chief's contributions and will give him a plaque when the Council signatures are affixed.

Chief Barton said thank you to the Council for the honor, "Thanks for your support. We don't always agree on things but it is the end result that matters." Chief Barton continued, "Thanks to the colleagues in my Department, my fellow employees, and gals."

Councilor Matt Sturgis had purchased flowers for Ms. Olson and Ms. Wilkinson, and offered those with hugs as each Councilor lived out the last few moments of their tenure. Mr. Sturgis also gave flowers to Mr. Hall, who is completing an appointed term but running for a three-year term, to be decided June 14.

Ms. Wilkinson said that she will be taking a small sabbatical and then resuming her contributions as a vocal citizen and volunteer on a committee. She thanked her husband for his support, her fellow Board members past and present, Department heads and office staff, and her employer for their patience and understanding.

Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz thanked Ms. Wilkinson for her service, saying that she was the last of the original Councilors on his hiring committee. He had enjoyed working with her, and said the same of Ms. Olson and Mr. Hall.

Annual Town Meeting is Saturday, June 11 at 8 a.m. at Newbegin Gym. Elections are Tuesday, June 14 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. On June 15 a new Council will be sworn in, and a new municipal fiscal year will begin on July 1. And the town will begin yearly cycle all over again.