Two Lakes Region towns are undergoing staff changes at the highest level.

In New Gloucester, former Town Planner Paul First has been named town manager. In Naples, longtime Town Manager Derik Goodine is set to bow out on June 12. Goodine, who has held the top job since 2004, will become the Bucksport town manager on June 16.

The Bucksport job will be Goodine’s fourth town manager position. Goodine served Sangerville from 1994 to 1997 and Levant from 1997 to 2004.

Goodine, who grew up in Brewer, said he is excited to work closer to his hometown, where many friends and family members live. Goodine said he spends much of his time in Naples working as road commissioner, and looks forward to working in an office where those duties are handled by a public works department

“It’s a full-service town that has all the departmental amenities, whereas here we contract most of our work,” Goodine said. “In Bucksport they have departments that take care of most of the work.”

Goodine was paid a salary of roughly $68,500. After six months in Bucksport, Goodine will earn $82,000 a year, although a portion of his salary will be funneled into his retirement plan.

Goodine said he is proud of his work improving the causeway, the town beach, and the Naples Museum and Information Center.

“I think definitely the quality of life has been increased over the last decade through these projects,” he said.

State Rep. Christine Powers, D-Naples, who served on the town’s Board of Selectmen when Goodine was hired in 2004, agreed.

“I’m really disappointed that he’s going,” Powers said. “He brought so much to Naples with his enthusiasm and his love for the community.”

“We really did a lot under his leadership, and I think he should be credited with a lot of the great tasks that we’ve completed,” she added. “The work on the bridge, the beach, the changing rooms, and implementing a TIF district so we could get some of these things done.”

Meanwhile, on Monday night, the New Gloucester Board of Selectmen unanimously appointed Paul First as town manager.

First, the former town planner, has served as acting and interim town manager since Sumner Field retired on Feb. 14. Although the selectmen had searched for a new manager since the fall, their favored candidate backed out of negotiations, according to Selectman Josh McHenry.

First has also been appointed tax collector, town clerk, road commissioner, welfare director, treasurer, and freedom of access act officer.

First said that he had been expecting the appointment in recent weeks, when he underwent a performance and review process with the selectmen.

“I am tickled and very pleased to serve the community,” First said. “I feel fortunate that over the past five years I’ve gotten to know quite a few of the community members and community leadership, and I think this will be a great opportunity for me to step into this new role and both serve the community and also expand my horizon.”

As town planner, First’s salary was about $55,000 he said. As town manager, First will earn $73,000 annually, he said.

Since his February appointment as the acting town manager, First has worked with the selectmen on the budget process. First said he was proud of the budget that will be presented to voters at town meeting.

“I think we’re off to an excellent start,” First said. “I feel like that process went quite well. It’s a testament to the excellent, committed volunteers that we have here in the community and also to the fact that we have an all-around great staff.”

Derik GoodinePaul First

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