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Wiscasset Director of Parks and Recreation Todd Souza, right, representing the town’s department heads, thanks Wiscasset Town Manager Laurie Smith for her leadership during a luncheon Sunday afternoon in her honor. (Photo courtesy Judy Colby) |
By Charlotte Boynton
Laurie Smith became Wiscasset’s town manager in June 2010.
Wiscasset town officials, co-workers, community leaders, friends, and family members gathered at the Wiscasset Community Center Feb. 2 to say goodbye to outgoing town manager Laurie Smith.
In December Smith announced she would be leaving her post in Wiscasset to accept the position of town manager in Kennebunkport. About 65 people attended the gathering Sunday to wish Smith well and to pay tribute to her for the job she has done for the town since 2010. She received many kudos from many people throughout the event.
“You have made a mark on Wiscasset and its history,” Wiscasset Selectman Ed Polewarczyk said. “You were always someone we could depend on. Always in support of Wiscasset through many nights and weekends. It was seldom easy but always successful.”
Wiscasset Chamber of Commerce Chairman David Stapp and Vice Chairman Sherri Dunbar presented a plaque to Smith, in appreciation for her help in getting the chamber established in Wiscasset.
Wiscasset Airport Manager Ervin Deck said he didn’t know what they were going to do without Smith. Deck said Smith was a strong participant in supporting the Texas Legends coming to Wiscasset, and that she worked very hard in last year’s very successful Wings over Wiscasset event.
According to Wiscasset Selectman Judy Colby, every department within the town was represented at the celebration.
Smith was presented a framed photo collage of Wiscasset photos on behalf of the town by Polewarczyk. “We don’t particularly like seeing you leave,” he said. “We all share a certain passion about being a part of this adventure. Your time with us has been much too brief. It really has been a pleasure knowing and working with you.”
“I was overwhelmed with the people that attended the event, and I am thankful for those who arranged the celebration,” Smith said Monday morning during a telephone interview. “It gave the community an opportunity to join together in celebrating the successes of the town.”
“There are a lot of people I will miss in Wiscasset, and it certainly was not an easy decision to leave,” she said.
Asked what she considers to be her greatest accomplishment while serving Wiscasset, she said, “Besides the grants, tasks, and leaving the town with a stable financial foundation, at the end of the day, I believe the community outreach, and networking to bring resources to Wiscasset and the region will be my legacy.”
Smith is credited for obtaining resources for the town to rebuild the infrastructure of the waterfront piers and the wastewater system and obtaining a grant of $20,000 for a design study for the boardwalk along the town’s waterfront.
Smith also worked with Rynel officials for the past several months in the expansion project for the company.
Smith is the seventh town manger to serve Wiscasset since 2002 and departs as the town’s longest serving town manager.
The town voted to adopt the town manager form of town government and expand to a five person board of selectmen in March 2001. Both changes took effect in March 2002.
The town’s first town manager was John O’Connell, the current county administrator, who served as interim town manager from March 2002 until May 2002. David Kenney was hired has the first permanent town manager in 2002. He served until 2003. Larry Cilley served from 2003-’04. Andrew Gilmore served from 2004 until 2006. Arthur Faucher was hired in 2006 and held the office until 2009.
After Faucher’s resignation, Don Gerrish was appointed as interim town manager until Smith was hired in 2010.
Smith will leave her office in Wiscasset Friday, Feb. 7, and begin her duties in Kennebunkport Monday, Feb. 10.
