Commissioners organize for the new year

DOVER-FOXCROFT — During their first meeting of the new year on Jan. 3 the Piscataquis County Commissioners made several appointments to organize for 2017.
Commissioner James White was approved as the new chair and Jim Annis was re-elected as vice chair. The two are now joined by Wayne Erkkinen who hwas elected in November and was sworn in on Jan. 3 to fill the seat formerly held by Fred Trask, who opted to not seek another term after 2016 following a dozen years as a commissioner .
Interim County Manager Tom Lizotte was named as a representative to the Eastern Maine Development Corporation, and Annis will serve as an ex officio member of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) board of directors.
“I enjoy it, I get a lot out of it,” Annis said about serving in the position again. Lizotte said the county funds the majority of the PCEDC operating costs.
In other business, Lizotte said, “We are trying to set a date for the first meeting of the law enforcement task force.” He said a 4 p.m. start time has been discussed, which would allow the 13 group members to attend right after work.
The task force was developed from a recommendation of the budget advisory committee to examine all aspects of law enforcement in Piscataquis County and what the future of such services in the region could look like. The committee is made up of county and town officials and members of the area’s police departments.
“I think the time has come to remove the interim from interim town manager,” Annis said at the end of the meeting about the position Lizotte has served in for several years. “I think Tom has done a terrific job and I don’t think he should be interim anymore. He’s willing to work without a contract.”
Lizotte said should the commissioners wish to discuss the matter then an executive session can be scheduled for a future meeting.