HOULTON, Maine — The newly configured Houlton Town Council held its first meeting following Tuesday’s election to swear in four new council members and select a new leader.
Councilor Chris Robinson was unanimously elected as the new council chairman during the organizational meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 4. He takes over the gavel from Jane Torres, who was unable to run for another stint on the board due to the town’s policy on term limits.
Susan Tortello received 2,038 votes and was re-elected to the board, while George “Bill” McCluskey received 1,804 votes and Nate Bodenstab secured 1,659. All three individuals were unopposed for the three-year seats on the council.
Dennis Harmon was elected to a two-year term on the board board with 2,174 votes. Harmon wasted little time making his presence felt as he proposed that the group move its meetings from the traditional 6 p.m. time slot every second and fourth Monday of the month.
Harmon proposed the board consider switching its meetings to 6:30 p.m. to allow more time for those who have to work until 5 p.m. to make it to council meetings on time.
The group passed his motion by a vote of 5-1, with Councilor Eileen McLaughlin opposed to the change.
Other local votes from Tuesday’s election saw Erica Peabody-Fitzparick (2,175 votes) Susan McLaughlin (1,953) and Timothy Youngfello (1,700) elected to three-year seats on the RSU 29 board. Darryl Scott White (2,277 votes) and Rosa McNally (11 votes as a write-in) were elected to two-year terms on the board.
Lauren Fitzpatrick received 2,413 votes for the Cary Library Board of Trustees, while Richard Goodwin (2,174) and Jon Prescott (1,971) were both elected to the Houlton Water Company board of directors. David Gates was also elected to the town’s Board of Budget Review with 43 votes as a write-in.
Deputy Clerk Gail Cleary said voter turnout Tuesday was strong with more than 2,400 ballots cast, one of the highest totals in the Shiretown in recent years. There were 3,803 registered voters as of Monday, Nov. 2, with many more registering to vote on Election Day.
The final matter of business during Wednesday’s organizational meeting was a presentation by town attorney Dan Nelson, who spoke on Maine’s Right to Know law and the requirements each councilor must abide by in their new roles.
