Paris names Natalie Andrews as town manager

Natalie Andrews addresses a forum in November 2022 as chairwoman of Maine School Administrative District 17 at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris. The West Paris resident was hired Monday as town manager of Paris. Sun Journal file photo

PARIS — Natalie Andrews of West Paris was hired Monday as town manager of Paris. She will begin her duties March 12.

The Select Board approved her one-year contract, which Andrews signed during the meeting.

Town Clerk Elizabeth Knox has served as interim manager since Dawn Noyes resigned in December 2023, six weeks after being placed on administrative leave.

Andrews has significant experience working for government agencies in Oxford County. She was a tax assessor for Norway for about six years. She was chairwoman of the board of directors of Maine School Administrative District 17, which includes Paris, Norway, Waterford, Otisfield, West Paris, Hebron, Harrison and Oxford.

She was town manager of Bethel for less than a year before stepping down in August 2023 citing a lack of cohesive support from the Select Board.

In other business, several residents complained about issues with flooding around homes in the vicinity of Oxford Street and East Main Street. The issue has become worse in the past four years. One resident said they have not received any help or relief.

The water comes up to the homes. One resident said he has lost 30 feet of his backyard due to the flooding.

Another resident said he has to run three sump pumps for 24 to 48 hours to empty 8,500 gallons per hour from his cellar. Another complained that her property values are dropping.

Town officials said a solution would not be cheap or quick.

Board Chairman Christopher Summers suggested they research the issue, check with the Paris Utility District and the Maine Department of Transportation.

The board accepted a new road, Robinson Lane, off Paris Hill Road.