City
Jim Bennett accepts interim position in Sabattus
SABATTUS —Jim Bennett is the new interim town manager.
In a special meeting Friday night, selectmen offered the former Lewiston city administrator the post left empty when Town Manager Gregory Gill resigned this week. Bennett accepted and the two sides agreed to terms.
Bennett will work as interim manager for six months for $700 for a three-day work week, selectmen's Chairman Mark Duquette said. Bennett will generally be available when the town needs him, he said.
"This is something that will be beneficial for him and for the town of Sabattus," Duquette said. "He always did what was best for Lewiston and I think he'll do what's best for Sabattus."
After six months, he'll help screen applicants for the permanent position.
"He is not going to be one of the applicants," Duquette said. "He does not want the position full time."
Bennett was not available for comment late Friday night.
The job presents a difference in scale for Bennett. Sabattus has 4,600 people, Lewiston 35,100. He left the post in Lewiston when city councilors ended his contract abruptly in July after seven years.
Gill had been Sabattus' first town manager, a job he took after being town manager in Readfield and town administrator in Minot. Gill had been in the job for two years but worked the last year without a contract. At a board meeting Monday in which three of the five selectmen voted to accept his resignation, local state Sen. John Nutting suggested that Gill had been taken out to coffee and given the choice of being fired or resigning. Gill didn't return a call seeking comment Friday.
Meanwhile, a half-dozen residents, concerned that his resignation didn't follow the proper channels, called for a meeting Thursday, Sept. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sabattus Central School to go over the order of events and answer questions. It isn't being driven by Gill and isn't about getting his job back, said Will Fessenden, who had sat on the search committee for the town manager.
"On the face value, I think the Sabattus charter was not followed when it came to (a selectmen's) meeting of the 19th and when it came to them meeting with Mr. Gill," Fessenden said. "I think there are a lot of people asking questions, 'What's happening?'"
For Duquette, the hiring of Bennett on a temporary basis means that one-time foes are now working on the same side. When the county was discussing the issue of implementing a new E911system, the two men did not see eye-to-eye.
"I was a very staunch opponent on it," Duquette said. "Now, it will be good to have him on the same side of the table."
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verified Under Jim Bennett more
Under Jim Bennett more businesses have opened in the Lewiston area and we have expanded under the closed minded facets of councilors we now have gaps in the councilors records as well and their emails. Any number of amounts designated by HUD to the councilors into businesses could have been used in homeless shelters, job programs, and other aspects of soup kitchens as well. Using the HUD funds makes it seem as though business had more respects then what HUD was designated and designed for; in retrospect are we the citizens of Lewiston to blame for allowing this to happen? I see what Bennett did down town next to Andover with the businesses that opened and the jobs which are held down and the facts that Somalia's and other teenagers aren't falling victim into following crime down a wrong street.
I see that Councilor Reed is opposed to opening a Hilton on the old Cowan Mill site and that Auburn has prospered with one in the area. Perhaps he re-read my thoughts and ideals and found respect because it would make for a much more lucrative operation. Whatever the reasons its terrible that now we see our loss and the township over could gain more business and attraction as it has many area's not being used including the old country store on Old Lisbon road. Installing also artistic motels, bringing in tourist crowds, and then seeing Lewiston which could be cleaned up falling into disarray because of the councilors disagreements and disdain with each other.
Though I said I would not talk to him it would be point less not to bring that up to the air and look at it very carefully. If the Hilton wanted college students, offered credit programs, and invited guests and musicians it would mean a larger outcome for the city. Cleaning up the city and offering much more in return and it could be another portion of hub cities rather then being passed by and remodeling the towns. I forgot though its usually like an Outfit from a Donald E. Westlake novel that wants to take over a town. Momof4 this time I will be agreeing with you on how drastic the tactics are that the councilors have used for their own advantages.
Joseph Ziehm
Lewiston, ME
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" Colossians 4: 1-2
A HILTON is far different
A HILTON is far different than a Hilton Garden Inn....you specifically wanted a 5 star hotel and I don't think the area will support one with rooms at $200 a night which is typical for the HILTON properties. I've never said a hotel would not be good on the site, what I've said is the city should not give away everyhting to attract a hotel. You attract a marquis player such as a concert center, casino o something else and then the hotels and restaurants follow without asking for such a big piece of the pie. IT boils down to do you beg a hotel to be here, or do you beg something bigger and then watch when the hotels beg you to be here...think bigger and not just the one piece of property and you'll see a bigger vision will pay off long term for this city.
Gill probably wouldn't get
Gill probably wouldn't get another job if he defends himself or a severance package.Quit or you will be fired! if you keep mouth shut we will give you money. Strong arm tactics are quite effective with no oversight!
Rep. Dostie was at the
Rep. Dostie was at the meeting concurring with that districts senator John Nutting. The same thing happened in Lewiston but their is no oversight of city councils. Councilors each lose one to many votes blame the manager and hes gone by building consensus thru one on one phone calls.
Change: Didn't see anything
Change: Didn't see anything about Representative....Does Sen. Nutjob have a personal interest? Why can't Gill speak for himself instead of speculation from Nut?
verified Well good luck sabuttass
Well good luck sabuttass becasue now your going to get a fresh air tax and a rain tax like lewiston. I say good luck because your going to need it with Bennett running your lives not your town. I say this knowing Bennett for more then 30 yrs. He's been fired from every town or city job he's had, hope you have a lot of money
Interesting how people
Interesting how people reference the rain "tax" which is actually a fee that everybody pays, equitably, but fail to mention the trash removal fee that only the less affluent renters pay so that the more affluent private homeowners can get their trash removed for NO FEE. Blatant discrimination against the tenants of Lewiston brought to us by Mr. Bennett and supported by the former and current city councils. That is extraordinarily unfair and fails moral muster.
Robert, I am currently
Robert, I am currently working on a proposal to allow more tenant housing to have FREE trash removal. Stay tuned but there may be some relief. I do have to ask which tenants actually pay for trash removal? I always thought it was the landlord that paid, and thats a cost of doing business so to speak. Easy question for you - assuming you are a landlord - if the city suddenly stopped charging you to haul away your trash, would you reduce the rent you charge your tenants?
A tenant's household trash
A tenant's household trash is residential trash exactly the same as homeowner's household trash is. Absolutely no difference. Trash that is generated through the operation of the rental business however is commercial, but tenant's private personal household trash is not trash that is generated through the operation of a business but through the operation of a household. Building owners have to pass on that cost, it is a very significant expense.
When the cost of heating went up dramatically, I, as most landlords had to go up on the rent to cover that cost. When the cost came back down, I reduced my rents accordingly. If the city decided to treat tenants fairly and equitably by treating them exactly the same as they treat homeowners, I would reduce the rents accordingly.
If you are truly looking into this to treat all people fairly, I thank you. Someone has to realize that the current system is unfair!
maybe they sabattus could
maybe they sabattus could annex Lewiston then he would be the KING again ! Lets see what did he really do ?? Let me rephase that what did he do that was good ???? Ill get back to you..........
Their Representative and
Their Representative and Senator believe laws were violated.Who will enforce the law?
Their Representative and
Their Representative and Senator believe laws were violated.Who will enforce the law?
Their Representative and
Their Representative and Senator believe laws were violated.Who will enforce law?
Jim Bennett did a fine job
Jim Bennett did a fine job for lewiston sabattus is very smart to hire him good luck to both sabattus and jim way to go jim
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