Houlton economic panel fills three posts, stalls on treasurer

HOULTON – President? Check.

Vice president? Another check.

Treasurer? Not for a while.

That was the outcome on Monday evening of this year’s first meeting of the Shiretown Development Corp., a nine-member panel that functions as an economic development arm for the town.

The session was mainly an organizational meeting for the board to elect a president, vice president, treasurer and clerk.

The SDC is composed of the seven councilors and two public representatives.

The directors moved quickly through the first two items on their abbreviated agenda, quickly deciding to appoint council Chairman Paul Romanelli as president of the group and giving the nod to Carl Lord to serve as vice president.

And then came the part about the treasurer.

Director Stan Ginish was nominated for that position and faced competition for the slot from board member Walter Goodrich.

With one member absent, the group voted and stalled in a 4-4 tie.

Director Gerald Adams suggested that the two candidates tell the panel why they wanted to be treasurer.

Ginish, who is retired from the U.S. Navy and has served on the board of budget review, told the group that he managed a lot of real estate, was meticulous in his handling of finances and had time to perform the duties.

Goodrich has served as chairman of the town’s planning board and past president of the Chamber of Commerce. A longtime jewelry store owner, he said he had been entrusted with his customers’ gemstones for a number of years and wanted to become treasurer in an effort to help the community.

Another vote was taken and the stalemate held.

The group then voted to table a decision on who to appoint treasurer until all nine members are present and went on to appoint the law firm of Severson, Hand & Nelson to serve as the board’s clerk.