LIVERMORE – Bill Botka watched over the town’s interests for decades. He was involved in road improvements, buying ballfields, plowing roads, recycling, crime watch and much more.

Out of respect for Botka, who died unexpectedly Tuesday, the Town Office flag was lowered to half-mast Thursday.

Botka, 84, made his mark on the history of Livermore.

His son Chris Botka said his father loved the town.

“He was a firm believer in working hard,” he said. “He always wanted things to be better.”

Bill Botka served as selectmen from 1990 to 1999. Earlier, he served on the Budget Committee from 1965 until he was elected selectman. He also served as constable, sealer of wood and bark and as a member of the Committee of Ordinance and Zoning and was a representative to the Androscoggin Valley Regional Commission.

“He was very, very active in town affairs,” Administrative Assistant Kurt Schaub said.

Though Botka was out of office when he was hired, Schaub said he was a wonderful source of both anecdotal and historical information.

“We’ll certainly miss him,” he said.

“He cared about the town,” Town Clerk Renda Libby said. “Even though his position ended, he watched over the town. It’s such a saddening thing for all of us.”

When Bill had his mindset on something he thought was best for the town, she said, he looked out for that.

“Bill was very knowledgeable about town affairs; you didn’t always agree with him but you knew where he stood,” Selectperson Tom Berry said.

He did a lot of things that never showed, he said.

He would go out of his way to get things prepared for voting to make sure everything was set. He was “deeply involved” in recycling and at times hauled trash, Berry said.

“Bill was really dedicated in what he was doing,” Berry said.

As a result of Botka’s work on roads, a Road Committee and a road construction program were established and to date, Berry said, 15 miles of roads have been done.

Botka’s granddaughter Jennifer Botka, a junior at University of Maine, said her grandfather was dedicated to his family.

Jennifer, who called her grandfather “Poppy,” said her fondest memory was his attempt to make macaroni and cheese for the first time. It came out like soup, but she and her sister Sara both loved it, and to this day they make it that way.

He got along with everybody, she said.

“He lived every minute doing exactly what he wanted to do,” her father said.

“It is definitely safe to say,” Jennifer Botka said, “that he was one of a kind and stubborn as a mule.”

dperry@sunjournal.com

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