By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Many people have probably known the new town clerk since she was a young girl. 

After all, Michelle Thibodeau was born and raised in Naples plus her parents are high profile and well-known in the community. Her father Andy Madura heads three departments in the local school district, including transportation and food service. Her mother Connie Madura helps run the Naples Food Pantry and volunteers for the town’s recreation committee. 

As an adult, Thibodeau has already done some work carving out her own life.

After graduating from Lake Region High School in 2006, she attended CosmoTech in Westbrook. For a few years, she was employed as a hair stylist. Then, she made the decision to return to school to get her CNA license in 2009 and 2010. She also holds the title of wife and mom. Those are two roles of which she is proud.  

Because the former town clerk served in that position for more than three decades, it seems like Thibodeau has big shoes to fill. She is not afraid to step up to the challenge with a big smile, customer service skills and a sincere pride in her town.

B-News: So far, how has the transition been from training with former Town Clerk Judy Whynot to taking over that position?

Thibodeau: I was hired with the Town of Naples on June 1, 2021. When I had gone though the interview process, this job that I was offered (Deputy Clerk) was also going to be training to take Judy Whynot’s job as she had plans of retiring. I was able to train alongside Judy for a year and a half before her official last day. Judy had loads of knowledge and retired with me feeling confident that I was able to get the best training possible from her. Although I don’t have the 34-plus years of municipal knowledge that Judy has, I’m a Naples native and have the determination to keep learning and being able to be the best I can be for our residents, summer residents and vacationers.

B-News: What aspects of your new job are you looking forward to in 2023?

Thibodeau: I’m definitely looking forward to 2023. I’m excited to navigate this job and start the new year off with a new title. I have been given over a year of training from Judy Whynot and even though I’m not Judy, I’m ready to be the best I can for the community. I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to serve the town that I grew up in.

B-News: What part of your job do you predict might be or typically is challenging?

Thibodeau: The job can be challenging at times. Tax time can be hard as we follow state laws with collecting taxes. I understand hardships can happen making it hard to pay at times however, this is my job and sometimes I must be the bearer of bad news. I don’t lien or foreclose on homes because I want to. I do my absolute best to work with taxpayers if they communicate with me.

When my deputy clerks and I work the counter, we offer positive, friendly customer service and sometimes we just don’t have the answer that they are hoping for, or they don’t have everything they need to complete a transaction and that can really upset some customers.

B-News: After being a resident of the Town of Naples, what have you learned from being an employee with the Town of Naples?

Thibodeau: After being a resident of the Town of Naples for years and then becoming a Naples employee I have learned so much. I did not realize how much actually went into the different departments. As far as the front office and vehicle registrations and what is required for ordering and reporting to the state level, Inland fisheries and Wildlife and what we must keep track of and the reporting. Elections, my goodness, I knew there was a lot but now seeing the behind the scenes, I have a whole new level of respect for town officials. There is a lot of work that goes into running a town office and I am honored to be a part of Naples.

B-News: When you aren’t on the clock, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing?

Thibodeau: When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My husband Daryl and I have been married for 11 years, we actually got married in Naples at Camp Takajo. We have two beautiful girls Ava who is 11 years old and in sixth grade and Layla who is 10 years old and in fifth grade. Our girls keep us busy with extra-curricular activities: dance, competition dance, softball, soccer, basketball and horseback riding. When we have time, we like to go camping with friends and visiting my husband’s old stomping grounds up in Rockwood on Moosehead Lake. I have two brothers and every Sunday we all gather at my parent’s house for family dinner. That’s something I look forward to every week!