YORK, Maine — Board of Selectmen Vice Chairwoman Dawn Sevigny Watson announced she is resigning from the board to take advantage of a career opportunity in Washington, D.C.
Watson, who works for the State Department, is not sure when the position will be opened, given the uncertainty of the government shutdown. But she called the new job “an amazing career opportunity.” She has left her departure open-ended as a result, saying she will be leaving on or before May 1.
“This will give prospective candidates ample opportunity to think through their decision whether to run for the board, and take out papers,” she said. The candidate who replaces her will fill Watson’s unexpired term of two years.
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Watson was elected to the board in 2015 and again in 2018. For the past several years, she and Todd Frederick have assumed the vice chair and chair positions. Before that, she served for three years on the Budget Committee.
“It’s been a pleasure and an honor to serve with Dawn. She’s been a terrific vice chair,” said Frederick. “She’s thoughtful, and she understands the working of town government and what citizens expect from their town. And she’s been a great sounding board.”
Watson said she hopes she’s been a model for other women to follow – a full-time employee and who has home obligations. “I feel like I’m that next generation, and I hope I’m setting a path going forward. It can be done. You can work and be very involved and make a difference.”
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She said she has been encouraged that high school students are bringing forth proposed ordinances, including one this year banning polystyrene. “I envision them down the road following in my path, getting involved in their town’s government.”
Watson was the moving force behind getting the town to divest itself of property. To date, many parcels the town acquired due to nonpayment of property taxes have been sold, and more sales are forthcoming. Funds raised were used, for example, in part to build the Long Sands Bathhouse.
She said she also felt she contributed to reinvigorating a custom of holding workshop sessions periodically with other boards and committees. It’s that knack she has of setting a tone and opening communication, said Town Manager Steve Burns, that he appreciates.
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“She is always prepared and always civil. She’s professional, stable, capable, and a good board member,” he said. “I’m going to miss her.”
Frederick pointed to the thoughtfulness of her resignation as an example of Watson’s character. “She’s timed it so there doesn’t have to be a special election. That says a lot right there. That’s a class act. I’m going to miss her, but that’s what democracy is.”
Watson said she looks forward to moving to Washington, a city she has always loved. Her daughter is in graduate school in the city, to boot. But she will miss York, her hometown where she was born and raised.
“It’s such an honor and a privilege to be trusted by the town of York, and to serve,” she said. “It’s bittersweet for me, to say the least.”