Town manager sees bright future
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
DAN McCLUNG has settled into the routine of being the town manager of Mars Hill, joining the Rotary Club and actively seeking ways to promote the community.
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
MARS HILL — On the job for about nine months now, Mars Hill Town Manager Dan McClung is looking forward to what the future has in store for his community.
“I have a finance background, having worked in Massachusetts at Fidelity in Boston, serving as senior director of finance. I also served as finance manager for State Street Bank and Trust. I have a degree in political science from UMO and earned my MBA from Western New England College,” said McClung, noting he’s already put his financial experience to use, working with town officials to draft this year’s budget.
McClung said he likes the community. With three sons, he and his wife, Pamela, felt it was a great place to raise a family.
“My oldest son, DJ, is a sophomore at UMO. Our middle son, Michael, is a junior and was starting center for CAHS. Zachary’s our youngest and is in eighth grade. My wife and I commute together — live three miles away,” said McClung. “We moved here to get away from the city.”
A lot of thought went into the couple’s decision to move to northern Maine.
“We made a conscious decision to move here, based on the different pace of life Mars Hill offers,” he said.
Since he’s been manager, he’s focused on making improvements to the way city business is handled.
“We’re updating systems, have a new sign in front of the Town Office. We’re looking at new software and have created a website, www.marshillmaine.com, and Facebook page for the town,” said McClung.
McClung said the transition between town managers — Ray Mersereau left in July 2010, retiring after 18 years on the job — was made with relative ease.
“I have a great Council to work with. Ray was instrumental with the transition. He was a big help,” he said.
The town manager believes in being active in the community and has joined the Rotary Club to be more involved.
“They’ve (Rotary Club members) been a big help. The Rotary helped with the installation of the sign at the Town Office,” he said.
Long-term goals for McClung include economic development.
“I’m working with others to find ways to attract new businesses, add residential houses. We have to utilize the resources we have, especially the mountain,” said McClung, adding that the windmills “contribute to the bottom line.”
“Holding the mil rate constant helped — 2010’s budget was just over $1 million as well. The goal was to hold the budget flat — equal to last year — for 2011. The pieces I control remain flat. State funding, county and school figures haven’t been established yet and could affect our final budget figure,” said McClung.
McClung said he’s pleased with the budget.
“We didn’t have to cut any serves to stay flat. Mars Hill’s in great shape financially,” said McClung.
Residents have approved the 2011 municipal budget for just over $1 million and elected several town officials, including a town councilor, and other positions for the library, school and utility district.
Voting was held March 21, with citizens accepting the $1,042,022 municipal budget, as presented. This figure does not include school and county taxes, which could add an additional million to that figure.
Seven individuals were also elected to serve the community. Penny Rideout will serve a three-year term on the town council. The Walter T.A. Hansen Memorial Library has two new board members, with the election of Rena Kearney to fill a three-year term and write-in candidate Donna Chasse will serve one year. For the utility district, Evan Lento and Robert Murphy were each elected to three-year terms. Filling two three-year vacancies on the school board will be Jason Woolard and write-in candidate Trent Lundeen.
For more information on the budget, call 425-3731. Town council meetings are held the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Town Office. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate.
