LINCOLN, Maine — Town leaders will seek help from an outside agency in their search for a replacement for departing Town Manager Lisa Goodwin, they said Monday.
The Town Council voted 7-0 during a special meeting Monday to authorize Goodwin to sign a contract to hire the Maine Municipal Association. Councilors also set aside $4,900 for that purpose.
The association is expected to help find candidates for the council’s review to replace Goodwin. The vote followed about 50 minutes of executive session.
Afterwards, council Chairman Steve Clay said that town leaders will not hire an interim town manager to replace Goodwin during the candidate search, which is expected to take several weeks to a few months.
“Her duties will be handled internally,” Clay said.
A Lincoln native, Goodwin announced on Feb. 28 her resignation as Lincoln’s top local government official, a position she has held since May 2008. She previously was Lincoln’s town clerk for 17 years and as town manager is paid $73,177 a year.
The Bangor City Council appointed Goodwin with a 9-0 vote during its meeting on Feb. 27. Goodwin is due to start her new job April 2. She will replace City Clerk Patti Dubois, who left for another job in late December, and interim Clerk Dianne Lovejoy. Lovejoy will resume her position as deputy city clerk when Goodwin starts her new job, Goodwin has said.
Goodwin will have a starting salary of $69,321 in Bangor, city officials have said.
The Maine Municipal Association describes itself as a voluntary membership organization offering professional services to municipalities and other local governmental entities in Maine. It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization governed by an executive committee elected from its member municipalities, according to its website, memun.org.
This is such a Hoot. The Maine Municipal Association is a club. They just rotate the same members back and forth between different towns. One candidate will sit out “on sabbatical” for a month or so until another town position opens up, then it’s musical chairs again. Of course all the towns pay the MMA $5k Each for their “professional services” and “help” while they keep the music going. The fee does Not include any advertising, that cost would be additional for the town.
Hmmm . . . Maybe towns could break the incestuous cycle and save money by just doing it on their own?
Such radical thinking, I know.
Sounds like you have had issues with the MMA.
A very weak group this town council is. Each meeting is closed with “would you like fries with that?”.
How was this weak?
Why should the Lincoln town clowns waste $4900 to look for a manager when all they have to do is post the Job Announcement. When Ahole left they had 22 applicants and only interviewed 2!!! Sounds like some good O’l Boy deals are going on. Why does Clay always play I’ve got a Secret?
Clay plays Ive got a secret? All you have to do is ask. I did. Even if he did explain it to you the answer would not be good enough.
He told me they had to talk to all of the employees that were going to help out once the town manger leaves before they move forward. In case one or more of them do not want to take on any responsibilities, another plan would have to be made.
Pray tell what did you ask him? Did you ask him about where they are moving the town office for example? Why all the closed door meetings and back room deals? You’re right though, the answer would be just another “I know nothing” statement.