RICHMOND — Laurisa Loon is known by most in the town of Richmond.
If they don’t know her personally, then they might know her family.
Laurisa Loon is the new town manager in Richmond. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
Both sides of her family have held roles in the town, including on the board of selectmen and as fire chief. Her family ran Loon Farm, now known as Noble Farm under different ownership. The Umberhine Public Library is also named for her family on her grandmother’s side.
And Loon herself has been a face in the town office for nearly 20 years. And now, she has become the town manager.
She was appointed by the board of selectmen on June 28, but started as the interim manager in March after former Town Manager Adam Garland left his position to manage the town of Oxford. Loon is paid $70,000 a year.
Garland encouraged Loon to go after the position.
“She has been the go-to person for everyone for many years when she was in the assistant role,” Garland said. “As the manager role, she’ll be able to lend her history and experience to the town operations — she’s a perfect fit.”
Loon has worked in Richmond her whole career.
She started at Richmond High School, where she graduated from and taught business there for a year. In 2006, she started at the town office in a stipend position as the planning board secretary.
In 2011, the administrative assistant role opened up and she has been in the position ever since. During her time there, she was able to receive certification to become a Maine Assessor. She thought that was the direction she wanted to go in, but it proved to come in handy. When she took over as interim town manager right during the budget season in March, she admits it “was stressful” but made her see places where the budget could “see improvements.”
“I’ve seen the responsibility that comes through the office,” she said. “I love this town and I want to see it succeed.”
Loon is passionate about the parks and infrastructure within the town.
She said her main goal is to “maintain” what the town has, such as putting some “extra care” in to make them be “something great” and as a way to save money in the long run. Also on her list is to keep the buildings in shape throughout the year.
As a larger goal, she wants to try to help with the town’s broadband expansion.
Her love for the town is what drives her to help put on town events and make sure it is in top shape.
For the past 13 years, she has put on Richmond Days. This year’s theme will be Richmond Nights because of the coronavirus pandemic and it will be held July 23 and 24.
In addition, she helps put on the Halloween Trick-or-Treat events as well as the annual tree lighting.
“I love how it gets people excited and how people want to be part of the town,” she said. “It’s a little something to offer.”
While Loon is not the first female manager the town has had, she believes she is the first one in 17 years to live in the town she works for.
She lives in Richmond with her husband and two sons, Luke and Beau, who are 22 and 15, respectively.
Her ties to the town and her experience are what Garland thinks will make Loon the perfect candidate.
“She is very intelligent and dedicated to the town,” he said. “I think the town of Richmond is very lucky… I miss working with her, that’s the only problem.”
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