CAPE ELIZABETH – When the new, post-election iteration of the Cape Elizabeth Town Council holds its inaugural meeting Dec. 9, expect Jessica Sullivan to get the nod as chairman for the ensuing year.

Sullivan was the choice of her fellow councilors at a caucus held at the group’s Nov. 6 meeting. Caucus results will be formalized with a public vote at the Dec. 9 regular council meeting, at which time Caitlin Jordan and Molly MacAuslan are scheduled to take their oaths of office.

MacAuslan, who for the past year chaired the town’s ad hoc Library Planning Committee, which last week turned in its final recommendation on the future of Thomas Memorial Library, won election to the Town Council Nov. 5, capturing the most votes in a three-way race. Jordan, who garnered 1,352 votes to MacAuslan’s 1,448 and 1,324 for Imad Kahlidi, will return for her second three-year term on the council.

Although not yet sworn into office, MacAuslan participated in the caucus, as incoming members traditionally do, in place of outgoing Councilor Frank Governali, who chose not to run for re-election.

Sullivan was first elected to the Town Council in 2009 and won re-election in 2012. According to her bio posted on the town website, she is a South Portland native, but the fifth generation of her family to call Cape home. A Cape resident for the past 17 years, Sullivan lives on Mitchell Road.

Sullivan graduated from Boston University with a degree in physical therapy, which she practiced in Massachusetts, Texas and Maine. Before retiring, she also has managed medical practices in Portland and South Portland.

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“I am delighted to be nominated for town chair,” said Sullivan, via email Wednesday. “This is a privilege and honor that I take very seriously and I deeply appreciate the support of my fellow councilors.

“My overall goal will be to continue to ensure that we maintain quality services and programs, with minimal impact on the property tax rate and in keeping with the one town concept,” she said. “It will be exciting to guide the Thomas Memorial Library project forward and collaborate with councilors and citizens alike in that effort, and in all other town projects and issues.”

At Wednesday’s caucus, the council also divvied up additional leadership posts for the ensuing year. According to a release issued by Town Manager Michael McGovern, outgoing Town Council Chairman James Walsh will now serve as chairman of the finance committee, which includes all seven council members. Jordan will replace Sullivan as chairman of the appointments committee, manned by herself, MacAuslan and Councilor David Sherman. Councilor Katharine Ray will continue to lead the ordinance committee, which counts Walsh and Councilor Jamie Wagner on its roll.

MacAuslan is slated to serve on the Thomas Jordan Grants Subcommittee, a group that includes Wagner, Ray and Jordan.

MacAuslan also will hold two liaison posts, representing the council before the Conservation Commission and the Riverside Cemetery Board of Trustees. Councilors taking point with other municipal boards and commissions include Jordan (recycling committee), Ray (Planning Board), Sherman (Thomas Memorial Library Board of Trustees), Wagner (Zoning Board of Appeals) and Walsh (Fort Williams Advisory Commission).

Sullivan will represent the Cape Elizabeth Town Council on the Thomas Memorial Library Foundation, the Greater Portland Council of Governments Executive Committee and its general assembly. She also will chair the Portland Head Light board, a group that also includes the full Town Council roster.

Ray will sit as Cape’s representative at the annual convention of the Maine Municipal Association and will sit on the MMA Legislative Policy Committee though December 2014. Wager will sit on the ecomaine Board of Directors through December 2016 and on the Greater Portland Economic Development Commission. Walsh will serve as vice-chairman of the Portland Head Light board and as an alternate the GPCOG General Assembly, while Sherman drew a seat on the Portland Jetport Noise Advisory Committee. Meanwhile, the council appointed McGovern to sit on the ecomaine board and the policy committee of the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System.

Cape Elizabeth Town Council Chairperson-elect, Jessica Sullivan.


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