MILFORD, Maine — The Board of Selectmen hired Scott Adkins as the new town manager Wednesday night, and he immediately went to work.
“I have spent the last eight years as your finance director for Penobscot County,” Adkins said after the board of five unanimously elected him. “I hope to continue the success this town has had despite the stumbling blocks, potholes you’ve had in the last couple of months.”
Adkins was alluding to the departure of former Town Manager Dawn Adams in June and news that some employee tax forms had not been filed in a timely manner in 2011 and 2012, resulting in $219,000 in penalties for 2011 and possible penalties of $235,000 for 2012.
Interim Town Manager Lois Jones submitted the employee W2s requested by the Internal Revenue Service to resolve both tax matters in August, she said in an email to town leaders.
“This crew has done a really good job keeping things going,” especially given the recent departure of Adams and a town clerk, which leaves only a staff of two, Adkins said.
“Failure is not an option for me,” said Adkins, who will be paid a salary of $63,500. “When I leave, this place will be better than when I found it.”
Diane Lacadie, chairwoman of the board, said she was very pleased with Adkins’ selection when she introduced him to the eight members of the public at the meeting.
“Welcome aboard,” she said. “We’re pretty excited.”
After a few smiles, handshakes and the signing of Adkins’ contract, the board went straight to work on hiring a local landscaper to provide sand for the winter and into discussions about replacing the retiring public works director and code enforcement officer, not paving Pine Street Extension this year and selling the former school superintendent building.
“At the town meeting, the residents gave us permission to sell it,” Lacadie said. “Now, there are people out there interested.”
Town leaders decided to get the vacant building appraised before selling.