FARMINGTON — The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce celebrated with members and guests at their annual meeting dinner held on Nov. 18 in the Bass Room at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

More than 100 attended the annual event which serves as the annual meeting and awards presentation to nominated businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Chamber president Matt Wotton thanked those board members stepping down after fulfilling their term commitments, which included Leo Deon of the University of Maine, Farmington, Peggy Willihan of Verso Paper in Jay and long-time executive board member Ellen Curtiss of Camden National Bank.

Wotton also welcomed new board members to fill open board positions: Todd Bullen, Hannaford, Farmington; Jennifer Eriksen, University of Maine at Farmington; Nancy Chase, Farmington Emblem Club 460; and Debra Harris, Harris Real Estate and Auctions, Farmington.

Joining the executive board is Scott Landry, owner of Shiretown Insurance in Farmington and long-time board member who has accepted the position of vice president of membership.

A bouquet was presented to committee chairwoman Shannon Smith for her work and help in planning and putting the evening together.

Immediately following the business meeting, awards were presented to the following:

Nonprofit Organization, Wilton Lions Club; Large Business, Sugarloaf; Small Business, Bangor Savings Bank, Farmington Mt. Blue Branch.

The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Ben Franklin Volunteer of the Year Award 2009 was presented to Heidi Elliott of Bangor Savings Bank, Mt. Blue branch in Farmington.

The new award recognized a nonboardmember for service and commitment to the chamber for 2009. Elliot has donated hours of her time attending board meetings and volunteering on various committees and helping with events and other activities of the chamber.

Following the awards presentations, Wotton introduced the newest member of the chamber’s staff, Michele Pelletier. Growing up in Stratton, Pelletier is a native of Franklin County. She earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration, with a concentration in advertising, from St. Joseph’s College in Standish.

Her experience includes winter marketing assistant for Sugarloaf where she was involved in planning and executing events on mountain. She also interned at RSN Television and worked as a temp after graduating college.

One of Pelletier’s first tasks will be to set up and implement a network of volunteers to help staff the Welcome Center, 248 Wilton Road, for a few hours on weekends.

For more information about the chamber, its programs or the new volunteer network program at the Welcome Center, contact the chamber office at 778-4215 or e-mail [email protected].