By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Bridgton’s administrative picture is taking shape.

With the early departure of Robert Peabody as town manager and the resignation of the finance director, the Select Board Tuesday night plugged two holes and took the first step to reshaping its front office.

First, the Select Board unanimously named Georgiann Fleck as interim town manager. The appointment followed an hour executive session, which the board addressed three matters.

Fleck had served as deputy town manager for the past 10 years, and has worked for the Town of Bridgton for 30 years.

“I would like to thank the Select Board for having the confidence in appointing me as interim town manager for the Town of Bridgton,” Fleck said. “I am proud to serve in that capacity.”

Select Board Chairman Bob McHatton pointed out that the deputy town manager position was created when Mitch Berkowitz served as town manager.

“While the town engages in the hiring process to retain a qualified and acceptable town manager, Ms. Fleck agrees to perform the duties of the town manager, including but not limited to those duties set forth in the town manager’s job description,” McHatton said.

The interim agreement will be terminated upon hiring of a full-time town manager, and Fleck will “resume her employment as the deputy town manager,” McHatton added.

Second, the Select Board then announced the hiring of Coleen Laprise as the town’s new finance director. Laprise formerly worked as a business manager/bursar at Southern Maine Community College. Laprise resides in Bridgton.

“We’re very excited to have Coleen join us,” Select Board Chairman Bob McHatton said. “She has a great background. Welcome aboard!”

Laprise will start work on Dec. 2.

“Thank you very much,” she said. “I’m excited to be here.”

Finally, the Select Board decided to hire Maine Municipal Association to assist the town with its manager search. The board received two proposals, one from MMA and the other from Eaton Peabody Consulting Group of Augusta. The consulting cost will range between $7 to $10,000.

McHatton said the board selected MMA because it is “well versed in doing this type of search.”

“We look forward to working with MMA and putting a new manager on board as soon as possible,” McHatton said.

Selectman Paul Tworog noted that the board’s actions are a sign “we’ve moved forward and we’ve clarified a lot of things… and ended some uncertainty that was in people’s minds.”

In other Select Board notes:

Housing Study set for release — Community Development Director Nicole McKeith will present findings of an affordable housing study conducted by the Greater Portland Council of Government at the next Select Board meeting, set for Nov. 26. McKeith is reviewing the technical complexities of the plan, which looked at town-owned properties and determined if the sites could be suitable for the development of affordable housing.

Some hook-ups can be tricky — At a previous meeting, the Select Board approved the first application under the town’s wastewater connection assistance program, funding a one-time cost of $5,236.

However, during excavation, additional problems were unearthed and the price of the hook-up jumped to $7,369.40.

“So, it has nothing to do with the applicant’s qualifications, just the amount it is going to cost to do it, right?” Select Board member Carmen Lone asked.

“Unfortunately, when you start digging into the ground, you never know what you’re going to find,” McHatton said.

The Select Board also approved a one-time payment of $4,300 to a second assistance program applicant.

Short-term rental talk — The Bridgton Planning Board will hold a workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m. to continue discussions regarding short-term rentals and whether the town needs to regulate this market. The public is welcome to attend.

Eager to start work — Citizens interested in serving on the Harbor Master and Mooring Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee are “eager to start work.” The Select Board moved a step closer for that work to begin by amending the charge regarding appointment of alternates. The committee will consist of nine members (one being from Lakes Environmental Association), and two alternates. Interim Town Manager Georgiann Fleck was asked to bring a recommendation regarding full-time committee selections and alternates to the board at its next meeting.

Transfer Station kudo — When it comes to how to efficiently operate a “store” at a transfer station, Bridgton is a very good example to follow.

Select Board member Carrye Castleman-Ross, who serves as Bridgton’s representative on the ecomaine Board of Directors, reported that two ecomaine employees had toured transfer stations that day and informed the Education and Outreach Committee that Bridgton “was the best store they’ve ever seen.”

“They go to every transfer station of member towns. They were amazed. It was decided that Linda Goldrup (who oversees Bridgton’s ‘store’) will be nominated for their annual Eco Excellence Award,” Castleman-Ross said. “I have very, very high hopes and expectations that she will likely win it. It was such an amazing amount of feedback to get. Linda is such an invaluable employee. They have never seen anything like that store. She has done a terrific job.”