Berwick Select Board names interim manager, fills appeals board seats

The Berwick Select Board appointed an interim town manager and two Board of Appeals members, approved a recruiting firm for the permanent manager search, and moved its November 3 meeting to November 2 because of the election. The board also approved a new public works truck, renewed a marijuana license, tabled a cannabis application over unpaid taxes, and heard a resident's complaints about Love Brook Road.

Key points

• The board appointed Tim Town as interim town manager effective October 10, 2026, and approved up to $10,000 from the select board contingency fund and salary baseline to hire a recruiting firm for the interim and permanent manager positions.
• Brian Rice was appointed to a three-year regular seat on the Board of Appeals and Ernie Wood to a three-year alternate seat.
• The board approved closing customer service at town hall on Election Day, November 3, 2026, so clerk staff can work the governor's election, where turnout of more than 4,000 voters is expected.
• The board voted to cancel the November 3 Select Board meeting and move it to November 2, with the town clerk noting the change still meets posting requirements.
• Resident Carolyn Holt of Love Brook Road asked the board to add material and improve drainage before winter, saying three gradings a year are not enough and that plowing and maintenance should extend to number 40.
• The board tabled a cannabis license application for Tri-Can or Four pending unresolved tax issues, and approved renewal of the Echo Essence LLC adult use cultivation and medical marijuana license at 569 Portland Street, Suite 3.
• The board approved spending $270,000 from the vehicle equipment fund for a non-CDL six-wheel dump truck for public works, and waived auditorium fees for the baton twirlers for 2026 and 2027, contingent on liability insurance.

Next steps

• The town clerk will verify liability insurance for the baton twirlers before the fee waiver takes effect.
• The facilities use policy will return for a second reading with corrections, including spelling fixes and new resident profit ($250) and resident personal ($150) rental fees.
• The EMS plan received a first reading and will return for adoption to comply with the new state statute.
• The interim town manager and outgoing manager plan to meet again Thursday for the handoff.
• The board entered executive session under 1 MRS 4056(6)(E) for legal matters, with no decisions to follow.

Read the full transcript