News

Councilor Sturgis resigns
By Elizabeth Prata

Gray--The first Council meeting of the new year concluded Tuesday night, with surprise moves and astonishing episodes occurring in front of an audience of about thirty.Below, Sturgis, former Chair Pam Wilkinson, and Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz at June 11, 2005 Town Meeting. The Monument: Prata photo

The first meeting for newly elected members to the Council contains agenda items not only related to regular business but also annual housekeeping, including electing a chair and vice chair.

Usually, the Council member with the most seniority is elected chair with the next in line elected as Vice Chair. With three new members and another member with just one year under his belt, the heir apparent to take over the reins from outgoing Chair Pam Wilkinson was Matthew Sturgis. Mr. Sturgis has served on the Council in Gray for two years but also has served as a member the New Gloucester Board of Selectmen and was that Board's chair as well.

Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz opened the meeting with a description of the housekeeping items in front of the new Council, and asked for nominations for Chair. New member Andy Upham nominated Gary Foster. A stunned silence ensued, and then other new member Skip Crane seconded. Mr. Berkowitz asked for additional nominations, and hearing none, Mr. Sturgis moved that nominations for Chair be closed. The voice vote was 'ayes' for Mr. Foster as Chair, with no 'nays'.

A request for Vice Chair was made and Mr. Upham nominated Mr. Sturgis. Mr. Sturgis said, "I decline the nomination," and another stunned silence ensued. Mr. Crane nominated Mr. Upham as Vice-Chair and with a second and another request from Mr. Sturgis that nominations be closed, Mr. Upham was voted in with a 5-0 count.

The meeting progressed and near the conclusion, with no business remaining, Mr. Sturgis said that he wanted to make a statement. He congratulated the new members, Mr. Upham, Mr. Crane, and Ms. Denise Duda, saying that he felt confident that their work on the Council will be productive. He then read a short resignation letter, in which he cited work and family pressures that would interfere with his duties on the Council. The resignation is effective immediately.

After the meeting, Mr. Foster said that the Board will certainly feel the loss of Mr. Sturgis's experience and thoughtful approach to the Council's work.
According to the Town Charter, the Council will make an appointment to replace Mr. Sturgis, whose term was to end next June. Mr. Berkowitz will advertise for prospective candidates to apply to the Council.

In an interview after the meeting, Mr. Sturgis said that he had many personal demands at this time. "I am building an addition to my house, myself, and my daughter is two and a half. I took a look a the commitment I would have to put in to the various personal and professional things and I decided something had to give." Mr. Sturgis said that he had full confidence in the remaining members, under the helmsmanshp of Chair Gary Foster. "That's a good crew on there, they will do fine. And this does not close the door to the future, but for right now, I need to place my attention elsewhere."

He thanked the voters for the past two years' opportunity to serve them, saying that he was proud of the Council's accomplishments over that period of time.