ROCKLAND — Rockland’s Interim City Manager Thomas Luttrell officially changed his seat in council chambers during the March 2 agenda-setting meeting.  Luttrell continues as finance director for the city, after more than a year of juggling two roles, that of city manager and finance director. James Chaousis, former town manager of Boothbay, now carries the Rockland manager title. 

Mayor Frank Isganitis presented Luttrell with a framed certificate of acknowledgement before turning to business matters.

“On behalf of the City Council, and the citizens of Rockland, you’ve just done a phenomenal job in holding the ship steady and the course straight for over a year,” he said. “I didn’t want the opportunity to get by without saying thank you, and pass along our most sincerest gratitude and gratefulness for a job well done.”

Councilor Larry Pritchett, who was mayor during part of Luttrell’s dual roles, said: “I want to underscore my appreciation for Acting Manager Luttrell. He’s now served the city in two terms in the corner office.  It’s now fun trying to juggle both corner offices as finance director running the operations for the city. He has done it so well and so long, it speaks tremendously to his skills.”

Immediately following the short ceremony, council moved to the workshop-style seats, where Finance Director Thomas Luttrell presented budgetary issues for the City of Rockland.

Luttrell brings forth a capital plan of $1,984,000, “which is a combination of equipment and infrastructure work,” according to Luttrell.

Of this budget, $452,000 will go to key equipment replacements: a cruiser for the police department, a dump truck for the public works department, a new ambulance for EMS, and improving the audio system for council chambers.

Piling work for the harbor and engineering consultation and work for the Rockland Library building are also in consideration.

Improvements for the Fish Pier will be funded through a grant and a reserve account.

Future discussion will regard acquiring a replacement for one of the city’s two sidewalk plows, which is no longer in operation.