Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — After 18 years working for the city of Presque Isle — most recently as city clerk — Nancy Nichols thought she had her life mapped out, including staying where she was until she reached retirement age. But when a position became available with a local agency, she took it as a sign that she should consider changing her plans.
“So much has gone on in the past year or so for me — my father passed away, I hit a birthday milestone and changes were beginning to take place at City Hall. When I saw an ad for an opening with the Aroostook County Action Program’s health office, I knew I needed to apply,” said Nichols.
The reason behind her decision actually dates back to her first years of employment.
NANCY NICHOLS, who marked her last day as Presque Isle’s city clerk Dec. 3, is now working at ACAP’s Health Services in a department she’s quite familiar with, having begun her working career with ACAP some 27 years ago.
“I’ve been in the municipal field for years — was hired as the city planner for Presque Isle in 1992 and worked in that capacity for five years, before transitioning to city clerk, a job I’ve held since 1997. Prior to working for Presque Isle, I served as the youngest woman ever to be selected as community development director in Madawaska — the community my family was from,” said Nichols. “I’d been working in Presque Isle but moved back to be closer to family, taking a position at the Town Office. The manager said he needed a community development director and offered me the job.”
Most people may know Nichols as a municipal employee, but she really got her start at ACAP. When the opening was advertised, Nichols said it began to stir fond memories.
“I began my working career at ACAP’s Family Planning office nearly 27 years ago. I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw the ad for an opening at the agency doing basically what I’d done before,” said Nichols.
She applied and the rest, as it’s said, is history.
“It’s an administrative assistant position. I went for the interview and before I knew it I was notified I’d gotten the job,” she said.
Nichols said she’s enjoyed her time as city clerk and the people she’s gotten to know over the years.
“My position as city planner was cut in ‘97 due to budget cuts. I only had one year left to be vested in Maine State Retirement. I knew nothing of being a city clerk when then City Manager Tom Stevens asked if I’d be interested. It took me six years to be comfortable in the position,” said Nichols.
Nichols said she feels she’s served the community well and has accomplished all she’d set out to do.
“I’ve done all I wanted to do for the city. I haven’t served just the city of Presque Isle, but the county and the state. I helped re-energize the Municipal Clerks Association which now has 47 members. It’s all one big network. I also go a lot of organizations from Augusta north to come to The County to offer training, so clerks here wouldn’t have to travel so far,” she said.
Over the years she’s received various honors, most recently being named 2010 Clerk of the Year.
“That meant a lot to me, being recognized by my peers,” said Nichols.
She said what she’ll miss most is working with the public.
“And especially their puppies. I loved it when they’d bring their dogs in to get licensed,” said Nichols, a devoted dog owner and animal lover.
Nichols wished her yet-to-be-named successor luck, noting there’ll be a lot to learn.
“It’s such a diverse position. I just want to say to whoever’s hired, just don’t get overwhelmed. There’s a lot to know but just give it time. It will fall into place,” said Nichols.
Although she’s familiar with the work done at the ACAP office she now calls ‘home,’ Nichols said some things have changed since she first worked for the organization.
“They’re in a new location off Main Street in Presque Isle, office systems have been updated, with computers replacing typewriters,” said Nichols.
Nichols said she’ll be working under Donna Kenneson.
“I’m looking forward to working with her. I met my Health Services family (including two individuals she worked with 27 years ago) Dec. 1, had my last day at City Hall on Dec. 3 and began working full-time at ACAP on Dec. 13. It’s so enlightening — something new but old, since I started as an administrative clerk some 27 years ago for Family Planning,” Nichols said. “To go full-circle, this is surreal.”
