The Harpswell Select Board has appointed Margaret McIntire as permanent town planner and approved three new hires.
McIntire has served as interim town planner since December, when former Town Planner Matthew James resigned after just five months on the job. McIntire is a former Harpswell code enforcement officer with a bachelor’s degree in international development.
The Select Board unanimously approved McIntire’s promotion at its meeting on Thursday, June 5. In a memo to the board, Town Administrator Kristi Eiane said McIntire has “consistently demonstrated sound decision-making” and has shown “outstanding leadership” with regard to floodplain management issues.
“Her performance and the experience gained while she served as interim (planner) support this recommendation as she has met expectations and demonstrated the dedication and motivation to take on the position permanently,” Eiane wrote.
Also on June 5, the Select Board voted 3-0 to approve the hiring of Darcie Couture as deputy harbormaster. Couture has a bachelor’s degree in marine biology, operates an oyster farm in Harpswell and has served on the town’s Aquaculture Working Group. Harbormaster Paul Plummer was among those who recommended she be hired for the seasonal position.
The town’s existing deputy harbormaster, Greg Coyne, has transitioned into the role of parks and waterfront operations assistant. Still, Coyne is keeping the deputy harbormaster title “for certain instances that he may assist with,” said Deputy Town Administrator Terri Gaudet.
The Select Board also voted 3-0 to approve the hiring of Molly Walter to serve as a seasonal Cedar Beach monitor for the town. She will cover one day a week and also serve as a backup when needed. “She is very outgoing with excellent interpersonal skills and enjoys being outdoors,” town Recreation Director Katie Neal said about Walter in a May 29 memo.
At its previous meeting on May 22, the Select Board unanimously approved hiring Amelia Graham Waszynski to fill two vacant part-time roles: communications specialist and assessing assistant. She previously served as development and communications director for the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust.
