Board of Select-people

The Machias board of select-people is made up of five members serving alternating terms of three years each.

The select-people are responsible for the development of ordinances, policies, and procedures to ensure the safe and responsible operation of local government.  In addition, the board works with the town manager in the development of economic opportunities to provide job growth.  Another primary focus is developing a cost effective budget for the necessary town operations while maintaining a stable tax rate for our citizens.  Residents are encouraged to contact their select-people with any suggestions or concerns they may have.

All registered voters are encouraged to cast their vote at the election and to attend the annual town meeting held each year in June.

The Board of Select-people meets monthly on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday.

To contact Chairman email: – prolfe@machiasme.org

Chairperson – Jacob “Jake” Patryn

Term expires 2025
Email: jpatryn@machiasme.org

 

Vice Chairperson – Carole Porcher

Term expires 2024
cporcher@machiasme.org

Michael Hinerman II

Term expires 2026

Benjamin Edwards

Term expires 2026

Sandra Sinford

ssinford@machiasme.org
Term expires 2024

 

Recording Secretary – Cathy Lord

 

Agendas and Meeting Minutes


Select-People’s Report

The Town of Machias has continued to recover from the dark years of COVID, despite the
challenges of skyrocketing fuel, food, and supply costs, and the reluctance of potential
employees to re-enter the job market. Several local businesses did not survive the shutdowns and financial hardships of a lagging economy, but those who did are beginning to thrive again, and new sustainable businesses are opening around town.

The select board voted to approve several purchases to improve citizen safety in the past year.  These purchases include a fully stocked new rescue truck, with replacement of the 30 year old jaws of life unit, for the Fire Department. The board approved an EMT apprenticeship program for our highly respected Machias Ambulance Service to allow EMT students to ride along and observe ambulance runs during their training. This program not only gives these students experience and enables them to be more skillful immediately after graduation, it increases the chance that they may choose to stay on as EMTs in Machias when they graduate. Work is underway to develop a ten year plan to assure the ongoing viability of the ambulance service by improving recruitment and retention of qualified Paramedics and EMTs to the service. A better staffed department will allow services, such as local and long distance medical transfers, to be offered to increase the revenue generated by the ambulance service, making the department less
reliant on tax money to operate.

After many weeks of negotiation, the Select Board reached an agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police, enabling improved recruitment and retention of Machias Police Officers with enhanced salaries and benefits. The police department is close to fully staffed at this point, and morale within the department is high.

Bill Kitchen, our town manager, and the board negotiated with Versant Power to give the town a long-term lease of the property adjacent to Bad Little Falls where the electrical substation once stood, for parking for park events and possible concessions. Mr. Kitchen successfully negotiated with Versant Power to have the substation equipment completely removed by the beginning of 2023, improving the appearance of the park considerably.

The Board would like to acknowledge the hard work, support, and encouragement Mr. Kitchen, town office staff, department heads, and city employees provide every day to Machias Select Board members to allow them to make informed, prudent, and sometimes difficult decisions to keep Machias prosperous and moving forward.

Machias Select Board members welcome questions, comments, and suggestions from Machias and surrounding town citizens and business owners.

Respectfully submitted,

Paula Johnson-Rolfe, Chairperson prolfe@machiasme.org
Leslie Haynes, Vice Chairperson lhaynes@machiasme.org
Sandra Sinford ssinford@machiasme.org
Carole Porcher cporcher@machiasme.org
Jake Patryn jpatryn@machiasme.org