ROCKLAND – Rockland's City Council began its search for a new city manager on Monday, Dec. 12, at its regular meeting by appointing an ad hoc search committee toward that end.

The committee will establish minimum qualifications, experience and/or accomplishments for applicants, soliciting applications, reviewing resumes, interviewing candidates, certifying candidates to the city council and advising the city council as to the selection of a new city manager.

The committee consists of eight members. Two members of the city staff, two members of the personnel board, two members of the city council and two citizens at large. Those members are:

City Staff: Chris Whytock and Wanda Harvey
Personnel Board: Patricia Moran-Wotton and Chelsea Avirett
Citizens at large: Steve Carroll and Connie Hayes
Council members: Larry Pritchett and Adam Ackor

Councilor Pritchett said he hoped the city council and the search committee would meet early in 2017 to clarify search expectations.

A chairman for the search committee has not been selected and Pritchett offered two options; The chairman could be elected by the committee or appointed by the city council. No decision on a chairman was made.

Councilor Valli Geiger voiced her displeasure at not being appointed to the committee. She said that the hiring of the city manager is one of the most important actions the city council will take.

"It will set the future of Rockland for the next few years," she said. "I'm having a hard time letting go and allowing a search committee to do work that I feel is partly mine. I will pass this, but I just want people to know that there will be a vigorous conversation about how the search committee will work."

Geiger said she did not have any issues with the people who were chosen for the committee although she was critical of Pritchett's appointment.

"I will say, in all due respect to you Larry, that you have been part of the search for the last two city managers," she said. "I think you have a type. I'm a little worried about that because I happen to think that type, which is a strong extroverted, authoritative person, who likes to dominate, is not sufficiently respectful of city employees, city council or the people of Rockland. We've hired two now and that type has not served well."

Geiger went on to say it was her wish that the third person is much more involved and collaborative with the community.

"I just want to be on record that I think it's our job this time to hire somebody who really sees the great city employees we have and takes advantage of their expertise," she said. "I want to make sure that person is ready to engage and become part of out community and want them to be as fully collaborative as this city needs to enable it to move forward."

Matinicus lobsterman Noah Ames was commended by the City Council, and congratulated for showing true community spirit, by, each year, gathering support from other local fishermen and providing lobster, free of charge, to those in need.

The Certificate of Commendation was presented as token of the city's appreciation for Ames efforts to help those less fortunate.

Former Mayor Louise MacLellen-Ruf received two plaques in recognition of her service on the Rockland City Council and as mayor. Councilor Larry Pritchett also received a plaques from Mayor Clayton in recognition of his service for the 2013 – 2016 term.

An ordinances in first reading 28 Chapter 19, Sections 19-302 - 19-304 Infill Ordinance was postponed until the February 13, 2017 Regular Meeting by a 5-0 vote. A workshop on this issue was tentatively scheduled for Wed. Jan 11, 2017.

Ordinance 35 Adopting Local Food & Community Self-Governance Ordinance was postponed until the January 9, 2017 Regular Meeting by a 5-0 vote.