MILO, Maine — A former town official from Belfast will be the town’s new manager if he accepts a $60,000 contract, interim town manager Roger Raymond said Thursday.
With Selectman Donald Banker opposing, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-1 during a special meeting on Thursday to offer David Maynard the contract, Raymond said.
Maynard indicated that the salary is acceptable and is expected to sign the contract on Friday, Raymond said. If he does, he will start work on Aug. 21.
Maynard would succeed Jeff Gahagan. Gahagan resigned as the treasurer of the Three Rivers Kiwanis club on April 5, a day before resigning as town manager, in the midst of an investigation by the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department, according to Piscataquis County District Attorney R. Christopher Almy. The investigation continues.
Gahagan told town leaders that he was resigning from the town manager position for health reasons. No allegations about any missing town money have surfaced, but selectmen said they will have an auditor review town finances from April 23 on as a precaution. Raymond was also hired that month.
The board praised Gahagan for what they described as his superb work as town manager, saying that when he took the job, the town was in heavy debt and now carries a $500,000 balance.
A later audit of a shared town-Kiwanis club account showed $600 missing, officials have said.
Police Chief Damien Pickel referred comment on the investigation to the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department. A dispatcher said that no one handling the investigation was available early Thursday night.
Maynard worked for Belfast as town manager from 1982 to 1986 before moving out of state, Raymond said. Raymond said he had no further details about Maynard because he was not part of the selection process.
He referred comment on the matter to Wilma Stanchfield, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen. Stanchfield did not immediately return a call placed to her home on Thursday night.
Linking this guy to Belfast will rub salt in an old wound. Remember the stories? 1986 was the end of an error. Milo has no idea what a treat they are in for.
First Pickel, now this maynard, woo-h00, are you guys in for a good time now.
This is to much money to pay to manage a small town like Milo. When are the elected officials in these small towns going to wake up? Add in the benifits and I’ll bet it comes closer to 75,000 0r more.
For that price he should double as town clerk and road commissioner.