AUGUSTA — Two new commissioners were sworn in recently as members of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission.

William K. Gilmore of Freeman Township and Michael Theriault of Greenville took their oaths of office last month as members of the Commission, known previously as the Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC). They began their official duties immediately.

Gilmore, who will serve until July 2016, has been employed for the past 27 years with the town of Carrabassett Valley as its tax assessor, code enforcement officer and plumbing inspector. He also served as town manager for 10 of those years. He now is involved with the Franklin County Tax Increment Financing committee and has been very active for many years in the growth and planning for Kingfield. He has lived his entire life in the western mountains of Maine.

Theriault, who also will serve until July 2016, has owned and operated his own business, Mike Theriault Construction LLC, since 1996. He also has extensive experience in land procurement and development as a timberlands owner and manager. He has served on the Greenville Board of Selectmen and is an elected board member of the Greenville School Committee. He attended Unity College.

"We look forward to the representation by our new commissioners of important, diverse interests," said ACF Commissioner Walter Whitcomb. "It's another step in bringing people who represent the unorganized territories onto the Commission."

The state Land Use Planning Commission serves as the planning and zoning authority for the unorganized and deorganized areas of the state, including townships and plantations. The Commission's jurisdiction covers more than half the state, encompassing more than 10.4 million acres.

The LUPC is a seven-member, independent board with members nominated by the governor to staggered, four-year terms. In December, Commission membership will expand to nine, with Aroostook and Piscataquis counties each having an opportunity to nominate an individual to serve on the Commission. This will begin a four-year transition period, after which the Commission will consist of eight members nominated by each of the eight counties with the most acreage within the Commission's jurisdiction, and a ninth member nominated by the governor.

Meeting monthly, Commission members have responsibility for rules, adjudications, policies and other administrative decisions. Each member must have lived or worked in the unorganized areas of Maine, be familiar with the needs and issues affecting the jurisdiction, or have expertise in commerce and industry, fisheries and wildlife, forestry or conservation issues as they relate to the Commission's jurisdiction.

"On behalf of the rest of the commissioners, I would like to welcome Bill Gilmore and Mike Theriault to the Commission," said LUPC Commissioner James May. "I look forward to working with them on the important issues before the Commission. We have been working with only five commissioners for the last several months, so it will be good to have a full membership."

"I am excited about the appointment of two new commissioners, Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Theriault," said Nicholas Livesay, LUPC's executive director. "Each brings valuable experience to the Commission. I appreciate their willingness to serve in this important role and look forward to working with them."

Commission staffing is provided under the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (ACF).

All nominees are subject to review by the Joint Standing Committee of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry of the Maine Legislature and to confirmation by the Maine Senate.

For more information on the Maine Land Use Planning Commission, visit http://www.maine.gov/doc/lupc/index.shtml.

For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, visit http://www.maine.gov/acf.