HOULTON, Maine — An Aroostook County entrepreneur was appointed town manager on Friday, following the unexpected departure of Houlton’s former manager Jeremy Smith in mid-November.
Cameron Clark, 26 of Houlton, who was appointed interim town manager in January, has already tackled some of the town’s financial and funding challenges.
On Friday afternoon, in a special meeting, the Town Council voted unanimously in favor of his permanent appointment to the leadership role. His total salary is $131,000.
“Cam Clark comes to the town with a wealth of knowledge on many different topics fueled by his passion for budgets and numbers as well as his desire to help attract businesses to Houlton,” said Council Chair Jane Torres. “As a property owner who has been attending council meetings for years, he has impressed us with his energy and ability to see all sides of a problem.”
In November the Town Council voted 5-1 to accept Smith’s resignation following an executive session during the meeting. Councilor Erin Matthews cast the dissenting vote.
After making a cross-country move from New Mexico to Houlton when he was appointed to the top municipal post last April, Smith told the council he wished things had worked out.
Smith was selected from a pool of about 50 applicants for the town manager role. The Maine Municipal Association assisted the town in the search after previous manager Marian Anderson retired at the end of August 2023 following five years in the position.
During his three-month tenure as interim town manager, Clark has made great progress in assessing town finances, and the council has high hopes that he will help the town move forward with his unique outlook toward the future of the community, Torres added.
“At this point taxpayers and staff will feel comfortable that I am here to stay and they can bring forward challenges or opportunities with high expectations of me to execute,” he said. .
Clark has regularly attended Town Council meetings since he was 16, although he never envisioned himself as being part of its operation, he said.
But when he stepped up for the interim position, he said he felt his passion and skillset could help the town move forward in a positive direction.
“I am looking forward to being in the role as permanent manager,” he said. “The town of Houlton has a great team of employees capable of solving the pressing issues and fulfilling future opportunities. It’s been an honor to lead the team during this transitional time as interim and I look forward to guiding growth in the permanent role.”
According to Clark, one of the most pressing issues facing the town is financial matters especially related to securing and operating on a tax-anticipation note for the first time since 2019 even though it is common for municipalities to do that.
The tax anticipation note will give the town operational funding until property taxes are collected later this year.
Clark said that the financial investment needed to get caught up on the town’s roads and sidewalks infrastructure is great, and the town needs to bring together all available resources to make progress on the issue.
The council has also asked him to focus on making Houlton more attractive for business growth and retention. As part of that task, Clark aims to strengthen the local economy by using tax-increment financing funds, creating stronger connections with the business community and collaborating with local and state resources and organizations.
“I’m pleased to see Cam officially appointed as Houlton’s permanent manager,” said Johanna Johnston, executive director of the Southern Aroostook Development Corp., after the vote. “ His knowledge of municipal operations, dedication to community engagement and steady leadership have already made a positive impact during his time as interim.”
Regarding his private business operations, Clark said they are well staffed and will maintain the day-to-day operations. And he will spend nights, weekends and vacation time from the town working on private projects and initiatives for businesses he started from scratch.
“The town of Houlton is not a current customer of any of my private businesses and will not be during my role as town manager,” he said.
At his core, Clark said he wants to help others and make a difference.
“The town has so many tools to provide a positive impact on our community and its future and it’s just great to be leading a team of employees who can do such impactful work,” he said.
