LIVERMORE FALLS – Martin Puckett, the new town manager here, was reviewing the annual town reports Thursday at the Town Office to get familiar with the town. He already has at least one goal, and that is to enhance the community.
Puckett also planned to check out housing options while he was here so he can relocate from Old Town where he lives now.
Puckett, 29, who grew up in Hancock, was given a two-year contract by selectmen Monday as the new manager with a starting salary of $45,000. His official starting date is Jan. 2.
He has a bachelor’s degree in public management and a master’s degree in public administration, both from the University of Maine in Orono, Puckett said Tuesday.
In addition, he has an associate degree in culinary arts.
He began his career as a town manager in 1999 in Sangerville where he served for four years before returning to college to get his master’s degree.
After he graduated from the University of Maine with his master’s, he decided to give back to the university and became a development officer to help raise money for the university system, he said.
His fiancee, Kari Wells, who is also a development officer, will be relocating with him.
Puckett said he thinks public administration is a rewarding profession.
“I find local government to be very interesting. … It’s the cornerstone to democracy. It starts at the local level where you get to know all the individuals,” he said.
He remembers his father being active in local politics and going to town meetings to voice his opinion. Town meetings give every person a say in how they think the town should be run, Puckett said.
He has experience in writing grants and plans to look for grants that would help enhance the community.
One grant he was successful in getting, he said, was for recreation purposes to build a Frisbee golf course.
One of his goals for the town is to “enhance the character of the town to create a town that everyone is proud of,” Puckett said. He plans to develop strong long-term and short-term goals, he said.
He also plans to work to strengthen partnerships with businesses, he added.
One thing he noticed in his earlier visits to the town, Puckett said, is that the selectmen are “really progressive” and the employees “really dedicated” to the town.
“I think the town has a really good team,” he said. “I’ve been really impressed with the dedication of town employees.”
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