LEWISTON – Simmering tensions between several city councilors and new Mayor Larry Gilbert bubbled over Tuesday night.

Councilors charged that Gilbert overstepped his role twice; once when he appointed a councilor to work with a new Citizens Commission on Lewiston-Auburn Cooperation; and again when he created a citizens budget committee. Gilbert made both moves without conferring with councilors.

“You talked a lot about teamwork, but I haven’t seen much,” said Councilor Normand Rousseau.

Gilbert said he’s found it difficult to work with several councilors: Ward 2’s Renee Bernier, Ward 3’s Lillian O’Brien and Ward 7’s Rousseau. Gilbert defeated Rousseau at the polls last month to win the mayor’s job.

Besides, Gilbert said, appointing the boards and commissions is the mayor’s job.

“The election is over, Norm,” Gilbert said. “Get over it.”

Gilbert said he received a request Thursday from members of the new cooperative group, asking for a city council liaison. Gilbert said he checked with one councilor who was unable to do the job and then appointed Stavros Mendros on Friday.

O’Brien said a majority of councilors did not want a council liaison when they created the board.

“We had no intention of having a person from this council on that group because we didn’t want to insert ourselves into their process,” O’Brien said.

Bernier criticized Gilbert for creating a citizens budget committee without checking with the council first.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea this late in the year,” she said. Councilors are just beginning to review a line-item budget document with more than 1,000 pages.

“My constituents elected me to make these tough decisions,” she said.

Not all councilors were upset with Gilbert.

Councilor Paul Samson muttered that the discussion was a set-up, and Councilor Ron Jean left the meeting, saying it was going nowhere.

City Clerk Kathy Montejo said the City Charter does not clearly say whether the City Council or the mayor can create new boards or make appointments without City Council input. Rousseau asked for the city attorney to review the charter and advise the council.

“Just because the city charter is silent, you can’t claim a new power for yourself,” Rousseau said.