O’Leary named assistant town manager

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Two long time career town employees were promoted Monday evening by unanimous vote of the Houlton Town Council.
    Cathy O’Leary has been named the assistant town manager, while Nedra Hanson has been promoted to the position of finance director and treasurer. Both positions come with a 6 percent increase in pay and are effective Nov. 1.
    “We are exceptionally pleased to be able to recognize the significant role both Cathy and Nedra have played over the years in Houlton’s town government, and at the same time offer them even greater responsibility,” said Walter Goodrich, council chairman. “Both have proven themselves to be dedicated, honest, hard working individuals who are committed to good government.”
    “These two long time employees of the town are extremely valuable and this is long overdue recognition of their ability and their contribution,” Town Manager Doug Hazlett said.
    O’Leary currently serves as town clerk, registrar of voters, election warden, and general assistance administrator. In addition to these duties, O’Leary will assume responsibility for overseeing the code enforcement function, which will continue to be managed by Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Tingly and assist the planning board and zoning board of appeals in carrying out their responsibilities.
    Beginning as a clerk in December 1978, O’Leary steadily assumed more responsibilities; accounts clerk in 1981, deputy town clerk in 1987, town clerk, deputy treasurer and elections warden in 1991, general assistance administration was added to her duties in 2002, with registrar of voters added in 2005. O’Leary has also served as interim town manager on two different occasions; December 2000 to July 2001, and again from November 2004 to March 2005. In 2005 Mrs. O’Leary was honored as the recipient of the Ethel Kelly Memorial Award from the Maine Municipal Association, in recognition of her outstanding service to town government.
    Hanson has been serving as treasurer and is responsible for all aspects of the town’s financial management, accounting, payroll operations, cash management, and insurance management. With her promotion, Hanson will also oversee the tax collection function, which will continue to be managed by Lauren Asselin, the town’s tax collector.
    Hanson began her career with the town in February 1970 as an accounts clerk, and advanced through a series of increasingly responsible positions, becoming the town treasurer in 1980.