Nichols named Clerk of the Year

    “Nancy Nichols was named 2009 Maine Clerk of the Year by the Maine Town and City Clerks’ Association, during its 73rd business meeting, held at the Augusta Civic Center Oct. 8,” City Manager Tom Stevens said, speaking at Council’s Nov. 2 session.
The event was held in conjunction with the Maine Municipal Association’s annual meeting in Augusta, an annual convention for municipal government employees.
Stevens said this was an accomplishment that reflects Nichols’ commitment to the city, Aroostook County and the state.
“This is the highest award a municipal clerk can receive. It was my privilege to be present and be a part of that award. The nomination originated through our Finance Department,” said Stevens.
According to the city manager, Nichols has been “at the center of the effort to provide training for other clerks.”
“This is not just her job, it’s her profession. She’s constantly tried to raise the bar and improve the quality of service to our citizens,” said Stevens.
For Nichols, it’s all in a day’s work.
“This came as quite a surprise. I didn’t suspect anything until I walked into the event and saw my family there. When they started to give clues as to who the winner of the award would be this year, I started to realize they were talking about me,” said Nichols, during an interview in her office recently, where she took a break from working on election paperwork to discuss the award.
Nichols said although she knew she was nominated, it came as a “big surprise” when her name was announced. She’s especially honored to be the first clerk from Aroostook County to receive the award.
“I’m the 17th recipient statewide but the first in Aroostook County to receive it,” she said.
She received a standing ovation that included loved ones, Stevens and a former co-worker.
“My mother, husband, a dear friend and brother-in-law were there. Tom was there. And I was especially pleased to see Jim Brown (Presque Isle’s former planning director) there,” said Nichols.
Having her colleague there, Nichols said, meant a lot to her.
“For Deb (Nichols’ co-worker at City Hall) to nominate me, it was truly wonderful and nice to be recognized for what I do. A clerk’s job is more involved than most people realize,” she said.
A clerk for Presque Isle for 12 years, Nichols has been employed by the city of 17 years, having worked with Brown prior to taking her present position. Her work experience also includes five years in municipal government in Madawaska.
“My previous jobs include community development director for Madawaska, then as city planner in Presque Isle for a time, when I worked with Jim. That was a definite benefit to what I do now,” said Nichols.
Her first three months as clerk had Nichols wondering “what have I gotten myself into?”
“But after six years, I found myself comfortable in what I do. I’ve worked to bring workshops to local clerks that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend,” said Nichols, adding, “Deputies (deputy clerks) allow me to do so much more.”
“I was really touched by the whole thing. It’s such an honor,” said Nichols.
Nichols was presented with a plaque during the Augusta ceremony. A second plaque was presented at Council Monday night, in recognition of Nichols’ achievement.
“Nancy receives a plaque, as does the city,” said Stevens.
In other business, the Council discussed the following:
• Moved to approve amendments to the 2009 municipal budget and Capital Plan, as presented. Councilors voted in favor of cutting the 2009 budget by $120,000. Added to the $400,000 cut earlier in the year, that brings the total cuts for 2009 to just over $600,000. Stevens said cuts were necessary to keep the budget balanced and indicated the drop in state revenue sharing was the biggest reason additional cuts were necessary;
• Proclaimed November Adoption Awareness Month;
• Proclaimed Maine Recycles Week, Nov. 8-15;
• Heard a presentation by Dick Howlett, president of the Star City ATV Club, recognizing the city’s receiving the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Outstanding Public Landowner Award;
• Set a second hearing date of Dec. 7 to consider amendments to Chapter 25, International Building Code, Section 108, to increase minimum building permit fees;
• Set Dec. 7 as the second hearing date to consider amendments to Chapter 31, National Electrical Code, to increase electrical permit fees;
• Received an update from Stevens on the proposed bypass project;
• Received an update on a downtown walkway (next to Wilder’s);
• Approved a request from the Forum Advisory Board to establish a Forum special revenue account, to be managed by Forum Director Jim Kaiser, the Forum Advisory Board, city manager and the city’s finance director, Pat Webb. Council voted 5-1 in favor, with G. Melvin Hovey opposed;
• Made a motion to waive automatic foreclosure on properties with 2007 unpaid taxes, with a vote of 5-1,  with Councilor Calvin Hall opposed;
• Approved of the city moving forward to take legal action at 27 School St. for code violations;
• Approved the closing the downtown portion of Main St. Nov. 20, beginning at 6 p.m., in support of the Downtown Revitalization Committee’s Maine Street Mania event;
• Approved setting hearing dates for Council’s next two regularly scheduled meetings to consider amendments to Chapter 48, General Assistance Ordinance, to raise the overall maximum levels of assistance, maximum levels on food and maximum levels on housing;
• Approved project certification, snowmobile land use permit, Municipal Grant-in-Aid program application, Municipal Grant-in-Aid program agreement and agreement to provide grooming service with the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club;
• Approved election workers for the Nov. 3 referendum election and municipal/SAD 1 election;
• Approved consent agenda items, including City Council meeting minutes of Oct. 5, 2009 warrants 39 through 42 totaling just over $5.2 million, and appointing Jamie Francomano to serve as the city’s representative on the St. John-Aroostook RD & DP Council; and
• Approved manager’s report to set budget workshops for Nov. 16 and 17. Assuming the excise tax question on the November ballot is defeated, Stevens said the Council needs to adopt and post the 2010 budget before the end of the month.
City Council will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Dec. 7, at City Hall, beginning at 6 p.m. Sessions are open to the public and participation is encouraged. For more information, contact 764-4485.