Mattawamkeag resident to start as town administrative assistant

MATTAWAMKEAG – Resident Steve Worster will be the town’s new administrative assistant, Selectman John Whitehouse said Wednesday.

Worster accepted the job Friday, replacing Town Administrator Joseph E. Clark. Worster is expected to start his new job in a few weeks, Whitehouse said.

“He has no municipal government experience, but we feel he has enough experience office-wise as a supervisor that he will make the transition just fine,” Whitehouse said. “He has a degree in office administration, and we feel that, long-term, it would be a good fit for us.”

Worster worked for Telford Aviation in Bangor and as a fill-in supervisor at Katahdin Paper, Whitehouse said. The latter position made him familiar to Whitehouse and other selectmen.

“We’re really impressed with his work ethic. I think that’s the best thing he brings to the job,” Whitehouse said. “We are just looking forward to working with him.”

The selectmen were due to meet last night to discuss Worster’s situation. His salary and benefits are still being worked out, Whitehouse said. Clark was paid $25,500. Clark went to work in a managerial position for Midcoast Solid Waste Corp. of Rockport on May 16.

Selectmen and the staff at the town offices have filled in for Clark without any real problems, Whitehouse said.

Worster was picked from a pool of a dozen candidates and four finalists. He had applied for the job previously, Whitehouse said.

Worster could not be reached on Wednesday for comment.

One of Worster’s first tasks will be to help replace Jessica Worster – no relation, Whitehouse said – as recreation director. She resigned last Thursday, saying that she no longer had enough time for the job.

Jessica Worster suggested leaving her position unfilled and instead contracting with Lincoln or East Millinocket to provide recreational services for town youth, Whitehouse said.

“I am not sure that’s the way the people would want this to go,” Whitehouse said, “but that’s out there as an idea. We [selectmen] will be talking it over.”