By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

SEBAGO — Michele Bukoveckas is ready for her next big jump in life.

For 19 years, she served as the Town of Sebago town clerk and tax collector.

Then, she took a major leap and became town manager.

Now after five years as Sebago’s municipal leader, she is set to enter the semi-retired phase of her life.

Bukoveckas’ last day is Tuesday, Aug. 30. 

“I am moving into a semi-retired phase of my life that will enable me to spend more time with my husband and my grandchildren. With any hope, my husband plans to work at least a couple more years before he retires, so I’ll look to get something comparable to his schedule so we can travel more,” she said. “Life is too short, tomorrow is never promised.”

A public “Open House Farewell Celebration” will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 17 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Sebago Town Office. The Clerk’s Office will be closed for business during the open house.

“I just had a new grandbaby arrive on July 4. I love my grandsons deeply and look forward to running through the fields with them,” she said. “Time flies when you’re having fun (Michele noted that she had started her 25th year in Sebago on June 21). I knew there would be some ups and downs. Covid had to be the most challenging obstacles I had to deal with. I’ve seen just about everything — from the fire truck going into the lake, to all the numerous storms that we’ve had in town, taking the electricity for 90% of the town for 14 days — it’s been a challenge.”

And, there have been accomplishments Bukoveckas is proud of, including approval at town meeting of a new public safety building, bringing the powers-that-be — MDOT, Portland Water District, DEP and town — to get together to discuss the drainage issue on Route 114 (“I’m hoping that in the future we have a solution to that problem,” she said), purchasing new plow trucks, upgrading the grader and roll-off truck while “trying not to hit the taxpayers too hard.”

While responsibilities changed over time, Bukoveckas’ approach to the job — be it as clerk or town manager — remained consistent.

“I tried to be realistic in my approach. You try to look at things from all angles. You try to find if there is going to be a problem and try to circumnavigate that problem. I believe in taking one’s time and taking a methodical approach,” she said.

The town manager role was “what I thought it would be,” Bukoveckas noted. 

“There were a lot of sleepless nights. A lot of hours. I was ready for the change. If you count what I did in the City of Saco (I was the welfare director and assistant clerk for 9 ½ years), I did that job (being a clerk) for almost 29 years, I was ready for a change. It was a nice change,” she said. “We all know that town managers come and go (typically 2 to 5 years). No, I am not going to another town. I want something that is completely different when I do my next jump. I want something where I will be physically active. And, just have fun.”

What will she miss most not reporting to the Town Office each day?

“My staff and the townspeople. I’ve made many nice, life-long relationships. I’ve had a fantastic staff. I can’t do my job without them. A leader is only as good as their staff. Enough said,” she said. “One of the things that hit me recently is the last of the three selectmen that hired me back in 1998 passed away. They were the beginning; and the last one passed away as I am moving on from the Town of Sebago. It’s a bit surreal for me.”

Town Clerk Maureen Scanlon has been named to serve as interim manager once Bukoveckas leaves office on Aug. 30. The town has hired Maine Municipal Association to assist the Select Board in the search for a new manager.

“I did enjoy what I did, but when I go home at night, I want to spend time with the family now. I’m not fully retiring, I am going to work part-time, but it is going to be something completely different,” she added. “Town Manager is a 24/7 job. When you have to make the call in the winter time to close the town office, you’re going to upset somebody. You learn to disagree.”