Town elects public works head Some Houlton councilors concerned about selection process, salary

HOULTON – The third time is the charm.

After twice tabling the appointment of a new public works superintendent, the Town Council voted 4-2 Tuesday night to approve the nomination of Leigh Stilwell for that post at a salary of $42,000.

Town Manager Peggy Daigle initially presented the nomination of Stilwell for the job on Oct. 8. The council tabled action at that time and requested to see Stilwell’s resume and to get a salary range for the job in other communities.

Two weeks later, after meeting in executive session to discuss the position, action was tabled again, reportedly over concerns about the process used to select a candidate.

Stilwell has been the town’s code enforcement officer for the past year. Before taking that job, he worked for the public works department for 11 years, including time as a foreman.

Though two councilors voted Tuesday in opposition to the nomination, both said it had nothing to do with Stilwell’s qualifications for the job.

Newly elected Councilor Dale Flewelling said he was opposed because he thought the salary was too high. He said he felt that since Stilwell had no experience as a public works superintendent, he should be given a starting salary less than what had been proposed.

Councilor Michael Carpenter opposed the nomination because of the process used to make the selection.

“It is fundamentally important … that we feel comfortable that there is a process in place that treats every application the same; that treats every position opening the same,” he said.

Describing the current selection process as “flawed,” he continued that as councilors “we are abject failures” for not defining a clear process and providing more direction to the town manager.

“We need to be more involved,” he said.

Councilor Dorothy Donahue said that initially she was “floored” when she heard the proposed salary for Stilwell. She said she discussed her concerns with different residents, however, and found that most had no problem with that figure. The two who did made salary suggestions in the $38,000 to $39,000 range.

“I figured [that] if they weren’t going to have a problem with it, why should I worry myself?” said Donahue.

Daigle also reported that interviews for the police chief’s job will commence Nov. 20.

Of seven candidates, she said, two have experience as a police chief.

Daigle, Fire Chief Milton Cone, Town Clerk Cathy O’Leary and Aroostook County Sheriff James Madore will conduct the interviews.

Carpenter said he would like to see a member of the community at large included on the selection committee for department heads in the future to provide comment from the public.