The harbormaster of Lincolnville Harbor has been credited with saving the lives of two kayakers on August 14 after the kayakers succumbed to heavy seas on their way to Warren Island. Harbormaster Michael Hutchings and fisherman Les Smith fished the kayakers out of the water at about 6:30 p.m. Neither victim sustained serious injuries.
Belfast City Manager Terry St. Peter has announced he will retire when his current contract expires next June, after a 30-year municipal career in Maine. St. Peter has been Belfast manager for nearly nine years. Previously, he worked as manager of the cities of Augusta and Caribou.
Greenwood Selectmen have hired James Owens of Poland as the town’s new fire chief. The board waived new residency requirements to allow Owens to continue living in Poland, about a 40-minute drive from Greenwood. Owens worked for 32 years as a career firefighter for the U.S. Department of Defense, serving at numerous military bases. He is currently a fire lieutenant at Brunswick Naval Air Station.
Sebago Town Manager David Hague has announced his resignation, effective September 8, after two years as top town administrator. Hague plans to return to the private sector, but will serve on the town’s budget committee.
Waterboro residents said goodbye to veteran firefighter Howard Doe during a memorial service in mid-August. He was 62. Doe was a captain and served in the town’s fire department for 32 years. Among his many accomplishments, Doe started fire prevention classes in Waterboro and enjoyed interacting with the children. He also was the town’s fire investigator.
Allagash Town Librarian Faye Hafford has been honored by the New England Patriots and the Kraft Foundation as one of only 20 Community MVPs in New England. Hafford, 81, has volunteered as the town librarian for several years, keeping the small library open despite leaner budgets and rising costs. Hafford received a trophy and $1,500 for the honor. She takes the trophy to the library to share with her 250 patrons; she plans to use the prize money to paint the inside of the library and buy books and shelves.
Walter “Bud” Bubier has retired from the Monmouth Public Works Department after more than 30 years. Selectmen and Public Works Director Herb Whittier surprised Bubier during a recent meeting, thanking him for his extraordinary service to the community. Bubier, 76, didn’t miss a single day of work, according to Whittier.
Dennis Keschl has been named new town manager of Belgrade, effective August 21. Keschl said he wants to focus on economic growth in his new position. Keschl, 59, worked in various positions for state government for 26 years, most recently as executive director for the Maine Public Utilities Commission. A resident of Belgrade, Keschl had retired from the state in June 2005 and has long been interested in taking on the town manager’s job should it open.
Tracey Steuber has been named public relations assistant for the City of Auburn, with a focus on public and media relations, event planning and a redesign of the city’s website. As chief executive assistant for the City of Waterville, Steuber was involved in economic development efforts and event planning. She worked for the city for eight years before joining the Auburn staff.
In other recent personnel changes: Longtime Auburn Police Chief Richard Small has retired after 27 years with the city. Michael Field has been named permanent police chief for the City of Bath, after serving as interim chief since former Chief Peter Lizanecz resigned in April; Dan Fleishman, Arundel Town Planner, has left Maine to take the city planner’s job in Stayton, Oregon; Steve Worster has taken the job of administrative assistant in Mattawamkeag, replacing Joseph Clark, who left for a private-sector position in May.