BANGOR – City councilors Monday night confirmed Tracy Willette’s appointment to head the city’s parks and recreation department.

Willette, 41 and a resident of Brewer, has been the department’s recreation superintendent since 1999.

He faced some stiff competition for the department’s top post, being chosen from a field of 30 applicants. Six finalists were interviewed for the position.

“I want everyone to know that no one had tougher competition than you,” City Councilor Hal Wheeler told Willette after calling the new department head to the council chambers podium so that residents watching the meeting from home on the city’s cable access television channel could get a look at him.

Wheeler echoed some of the sentiments that City Manager Edward Barrett made earlier this month in announcing Willette’s appointment, applauding the “energy and knowledge” Willette will bring to the department.

Wheeler also noted that “knowing the community and being known in the community” helped tip the scales in Willette’s favor.

Willette said Monday that he looks forward to the challenges before him and that his goal is to take the city parks and recreation operation “from a good department to a great department.”

Willette succeeds Frank Comeau, who retired at the end of December. During the city’s search for Comeau’s replacement, Willette oversaw the department’s day-to-day operations.

Before joining the Bangor staff in 1999 as recreation superintendent, Willette served as recreation coordinator for the city of Waterville and as parks and cemetery foreman for the city of Brewer.

President of the Maine Recreation and Park Association, Willette holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the councilors:

. Approved a $75,000 grant for the American Folk Festival, set this year for Aug. 22-24 at Bangor Waterfront. The annual allotment to the festival comes from the $125,000 the city typically sets aside each year for arts and culture-related activities and programs.

. Converted nearly 40 parking spaces behind the former police station from employee parking to permit parking.

. Adopted the 2008 national electrical code.

. Granted a special amusement permit to Carolina Sports and Spirits at 16 Union St.

. Agreed to lease Hollywood Slots at Bangor an additional 1.9 acres for employee parking. The land is located directly behind another parking parcel the company has been leasing since last summer.

The new lease, however, was granted with the understanding that the city might take back the land if it is needed for the new arena it plans to build at an undetermined location at Bass Park.