Humor helps lighten Millinocket meetings

MILLINOCKET – Town politics can be unsparing and even occasionally nasty, but the Town Council’s more genial, humorous side is just as frequently on display. Such was the case when Thomas Malcolm was reappointed to the Recreation Commission on Thursday night.

Malcolm is what you might call a civic-minded individual. Besides being a Millinocket Fire Department assistant fire chief and the town’s fire prevention officer, Malcolm is chairman of the Millinocket School Committee and well-known for volunteering for causes around town.

He is also generally regarded as thoughtful and even-tempered, which might have been why Town Council member Bruce McLean got a mischievous glint in his eye when the motion reappointing Malcolm was read into the record.

“Might we see,” McLean asked, deadpan, “a cartwheel or something from Mr. Malcolm to demonstrate his athletic ability?”

Malcolm’s response was inaudible – and possibly unprintable.

“I think if we want him to serve on the committee for another three years,” council Chairman David Nelson said, “we should avoid asking him to do that.”

The motion passed unanimously.

Jokes, humorous asides and gentle digs are a regular part of council meetings, but not so much that they stop business – not for more than a few minutes, anyway. The humor leavens minute-approving, motion-making and the other dull but necessary components of town meeting bureaucracy.

It also allows for a teasing sort of appreciation, as when Town Clerk Roxanne Johnson was reappointed registrar of voters on Jan. 11, after five years of spotless service at that position.

Johnson, who is as publicity-shy as she is efficient, colored visibly when Councilor Matthew Polstein wryly asked for the “specific indications of the qualifications of this person.”

Knowing of Johnson’s reticence, Town Manager Eugene Conlogue and councilors lavished her with enough praise to make her roll her eyes heavenward in exasperation. Johnson blushed so heavily that she grabbed a fan made from a paper plate and began fanning herself at warp speed.

That motion, too, passed unanimously.