CAMDEN — Over the course of an hour June 16, the Camden Select Board elected Chris Nolan as chair and Ken Gross as vice chair; reappointed all town positions under its purview, excepting the Town Manager; approved two summer neighborhood block parties, as well as the donation of a used generator for the Public Safety Building and several victualer license renewals.

The Select Board also heard from several citizens during public comment on various topics, including concerns about the use of sidewalks by skateboarders and bicycles, and the announcement that a petition to place a warrant article on the November ballot asking voters if they want a downtown paid parking program was gaining steam. There was also a request that the Board convene a workshop to discuss the development of an historic preservation ordinance.

Following its public municipal business, the five members of the Select Board then went behind closed doors to discuss a personnel issue. There was no amplification about the discussion topic, but the board exited executive session at 8:42 p.m., according to Chair Chris Nolan.

"Only motion at this time was to adjourn," he said, later in the evening.

The executive session drew the Town Attorney and the Select Board behind closed doors. Town Manager Audra Caler is on medical leave for a few weeks, according to her manager's report, and was not at the meeting.

The Select Board had convened Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the French Conference Room. Former Chair Susan Dorr called the meeting to order and immediately explained that the first order of business was organizational, as happens every June following annual town meeting. This is when Board leadership is determined.

At the outset, Camden Select Board member nominated Chris Nolan to be chair, saying Nolan, "has the demeanor and experience and expertise that we need."

Nolan made a second to the motion, and the board voted unanimously to elect him as chair.

Board member Susan Dorr nominated Chrisso Rheault to be vice chair. Board member Bobbi Oxton Blake then nominated Ken Gross. There was no second motion made to the Rheault nomination, but Nolan did second the Gross nomination. Gross subsequently assumed the role following the votes in his favor by Nolan, Blake and Gross. Dorr and Rheault opposed the motion.

"We will do our best to run meetings so that everyone has the ability to speak," said Nolan. 

He added: "During public comment on nonagenda items, sometimes it is difficult, depending on either the number of people, as well as not to get off-agenda, we have to keep those quiet. But we will certainly take those nonagenda items into consideration for future meetings."

He said, "we really want to make sure our meetings are congenial, and everyone is given the opportunity to speak without interruption.... We want to respect each other."

Robert's Rules of Order are to be followed, "without being too formal," said Nolan.

The Board then proceeded to reappoint Bill Kelly as Town Attorney. Kelly has been attorney for the Town of Camden since 2008.

Upon that motion, Gross said he was, "in support of the reappointment in] that we are heading into a challenging time and I think we need a steady and experienced — someone who has been through it before." 

When asked June 17 to expand on that June 16 comment, Gross said he was not free to, "discuss anything we covered in last night’s Executive Session on 'personnel'."

He anticipated that the Select Board would be holding another meeting next week.

Gross further clarified that his comments made at the June 16 meeting about Kelly being as, "someone who has been through it before," referenced board business, in general.

"When I said 'it' I was thinking in broader terms about the work of the board and adjusting to a new mix on the board and a new chair of the board and the learning curve involved, as well as topics under discussion in the exec session," said Gross, June 17.

The Town has not responded to questions concerning progress about the renewal of the Town Manager's contract, which expires June 30. The contract renewal was a topic of conversation prior to June 9, as to the timing of its review and consideration by the Select Board.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657