Monson town manager brings diverse background to position

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    MONSON — A former Caribou resident with a background in municipal and state government operations as well as outdoor recreation is the new Monson town manager.
    Lucas Butler officially started his full-time duties on Nov. 12, although he spent one or two days a week in the town office prior to finding housing in town.

    “This is something I’ve always wanted to do — get into municipal government on the ground floor,” Butler said. “I plan to bring some new things to the table.”
    Butler, 25, has an impressive resume from blue-collar jobs to a staff position with the Maine State Senate. “I helped with the day-to-day operations of the Senate,” he explained. “This included everything from enforcing chamber decorum to greeting visitors.”
    During his tenure at the legislature, he saw the Monson town manager’s position advertised online. “So I asked Sen. Doug Thomas (of Ripley) what he thought about the job,” Butler said. “He told me ‘Go for it. You’ll love it. It’s a great community,’” Butler said. After his second interview, he was hired.
    Butler got his first taste of municipal government while working as an intern in the Caribou city manager’s office from 2006-10 where he did a variety of tasks from researching and presenting resolves and policy for the council to working with the public works department.
    He also worked for the parks and recreation department from 2007-09 doing trail development and maintenance, grounds and building maintenance, coaching Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and ice-skating programs. He later held a similar position at the University of Maine at Farmington Fitness and Recreation Center.
    Butler also started his own guide service — Dirigo Outfitters — in September 2012 where he provided canoe, kayak, fishing, hiking and camping trips for “clients of all ages and abilities.”
    The fact that Monson is a favorite destination for Appalachian Trail hikers was another factor in Butler’s decision to pursue a job in the community. “The AT is the town’s biggest asset,” he said. “So I’m going to do what I can to help bring new business to the community.”
    The Monson Community Center presents its own challenges, Butler acknowledged. The former school building is in good condition, but currently lacks enough tenants to make it financially viable. “When a community loses its school, it takes time to recover,” he said. “It’s perfect for a small incubator business for someone just getting started.”
    A public turkey dinner will be held on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 5-6 p.m. at the center where the public can weigh in on new ideas to promote the facility.
    Butler is settling into his new home and will soon be joined by his fiancée, Esther Carr, who he met during his college years. She is an orientation and mobility specialist who teaches visually-impaired people how to travel safely
    In the meantime, Butler is working with former town manager Julie Anderson and the office staff, learning the “nuts and bolts” of the new position. “Everyone has been a great help,” said Butler. “I’m off to a good start.”