The Scarborough Town Council has unanimously chosen Bill Donovan to be the new chairman.
Donovan, a retired lawyer, is now entering the third year of his first term on the council. He was under fire recently by those fighting to prevent any changes in accessing Higgins Beach.
During the latter part of the debate about how to handle problem behavior at one of the town’s most popular beaches, Donovan recused himself because he is a property owner in the Higgins Beach area.
Following the Nov. 18 council meeting, Donovan told the Current he was “pleased with the unanimous support” he received from his fellow councilors. He said one of his goals is to “create positive energy.”
He also plans to “work with efficiency and goodwill to advance the business of the community. I am committed to this task full time.”
Donovan said he only recently decided to throw his hat in the ring to lead the Town Council for the next year. He succeeds Jessica Holbrook, who did not run for re-election.
His hope is to “continue the good leadership we’ve had the past two years” and to focus on several “high priority issues.”
Among those issues is finding ways to make more of a difference in the lives of seniors in town. That includes “continuing to make progress on our local tax program for low-income seniors.”
In addition, Donovan would like to give Scarborough seniors “more of a home base” and is seeking “imaginative solutions” that don’t include building a new facility.
He also wants to keep any tax increases to a minimum and to avoid wild fluctuations.
Donovan said it’s important to residents to “remain steady” with 2 to 3 percent increases, instead of imposing a significant jump in the tax rate in any given fiscal year.
Another goal is continuing to build on the burgeoning relationship between the Town Council and the school board’s Finance Committee to provide “understandable, clear financial reporting” and to create “real confidence between the two boards.”
Donovan also has a “soft spot” for Project GRACE and other such community service agencies in town that provide “real, direct help” to Scarborough residents.
He would like to see the town give even more support to Project GRACE and other such groups, Donovan said.
He also called newly elected councilors Chris Caiazzo and Will Rowan “terrific, energetic and smart.” He said another of his goals for the coming year is for every member of the council to be able to say, “‘I made a difference.’”
While Donovan wants the council to be “business-like and accountable,” he would also like to “keep in close communication with all the other councilors” and encourage them in individual projects that could move the town forward.
“I am truly excited” about this opportunity, Donovan said of being chosen to lead the Town Council. He said he wants to “advance the interests of the community by (better) connecting people.”
Another goal is building better relationships with department heads in town to learn their priorities.
“We have the best staff going,” Donovan said, but to “make progress we (as councilors) must provide guidance and encouragement.”
What Donovan most enjoys about being a councilor is that he can problem-solve to make things better for residents.
“I hope we can make real progress” in the coming year, he said.
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