LINCOLN – Councilors named Town Clerk Lisa Goodwin the town’s new manager on Monday, ending about six months of interim work for Goodwin.

With Councilors Michael Ireland and his wife, Marscella Ireland, opposing, the council voted 5-2 to appoint Goodwin to replace former Town Manager Glenn Aho, whom Goodwin was appointed to replace temporarily on May 5.

“She has proved herself over the last six months and was the best candidate for the job,” council Chairman Steve Clay said Monday.

“I think we got the best person,” Councilor Thora House said.

“When you have a transition period, there can be a lot of doubt and instability. We didn’t have that. She kept things going as normal,” said Clay, who credited all town workers, including Public Works Department Director David Lloyd, Economic Development Director Ruth Birtz and Administrative Assistant Gilberte Mayo, for easing Goodwin’s transition.

Michael Ireland said he voted against hiring Goodwin because he felt her salary was too high. His wife declined to comment.

Goodwin will continue to earn a salary of $69,000 as both town manager and town clerk, working Saturdays regularly, until her replacement as town clerk is hired. Then her salary will be reduced to $66,000, she and Clay said. As part of her three-year contract, Goodwin will receive a 3.5 percent raise on July 1, 2009, with 3.5 percent raises every July 1 until 2011 if other nonunion town officials get raises.

Goodwin was chosen from more than 30 candidates, Clay said.

At first, Goodwin said, she didn’t want the job.

“When I started as the interim, I thought it would be temporary,” Goodwin said, “but as I got into the position and started working it, I started to enjoy it.”

Among her goals as town manager:

. To see Penquis’ proposed senior citizen apartment building at West Broadway and Main Street come to fruition, though not necessarily with a new town office within it.

. To see First Wind of Massachusetts get awarded tax increment financing if its proposed 40-turbine wind farm is approved.

. To aggressively pursue grants and other non-Lincoln financial sources to build a town recreation center off Route 6.

“I want to see Lincoln move forward in a positive way,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin is due to sign her contract today, Clay said.

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