Presque Isle council elects new chairwoman

PRESQUE ISLE – The City Council on Monday night held its first meeting of the year, electing a chairwoman, deputy chairman and welcoming to the board two councilors who were elected in November.

Jennifer Trombley unanimously was elected as chairwoman – the city’s second ever – and Calvin Hall was elected unanimously to the deputy chairman position.

City Clerk Nancy Nichols administered the oath of office to the two newly elected councilors, Richard G. Benjamin and incumbent Donald J. Gardner, who each will serve a four-year term on the council.

During the meeting, several employees received recognition for their years of service. Recognized for five years of service were: Jeffrey Lowe, solid waste landfill; William Scull, Police Department; Donald Wyman, general aviation; Dale Morrison, Fire Department; Anthony Robichaud, Fire Department; and Grant Spinney, Fire Department.

Also acknowledged were Darrell White, Fire Department, 15 years of service; Mitchell Guiggey, Fire Department, 20 years of service; James Nelson, Police Department, 25 years of service; and Larry Clark, industrial council, 35 years of service.

Later in the meeting, the council made several city appointments. To the board of assessment review, the council appointed Rick Bruce and Jeffrey Pangburn to three-year terms. Councilors appointed Brian Colton and Stewart Libby to one-year terms as associate members of the review board.

Michael Henderson was appointed to a five-year term on the building board of appeals.

Councilors voted on annual appointments to the city finance committee. Richard Benjamin, Jennifer Trombley, Robert Poiesz and Eugene McLaughlin will serve on the committee; Calvin Hall, Donald Gardner and Ron McPherson will serve as alternates.

The council appointed Ray Lamoreau and Lucy Richard to four-year terms on the Forum advisory committee.

Nancy Roe and Carlene Dick were named to four-year terms on the library board of trustees.

Councilors Ron McPherson and Jennifer Trombley received the annual council appointments to the Northern Maine Development Commission. Larry Clark, of the industrial council, was appointed as the alternate.

Ward Gerow and Al Pietka were appointed to four-year terms on the planning board.

Richard Scott, Floyd Rockholt and Bruce Roope were appointed to three-year terms on the city’s development fund board of trustees.

The council appointed William Casavant and Judy Griffin to four-year terms to the recreation and parks advisory board.

Councilors named Sharon Roix to a four-year term to the registration appeals board.

Matt Bell and Mark White were appointed to three-year terms on the zoning board of appeals.

During the council’s first regular meeting of the year, which also was held Monday night, councilors set important dates concerning the city’s 2004 mill rate. Councilors voted to set the tax rate on or before June 21 and to commit taxes on July 1.

The council will hold its next meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, in council chambers at the city office.