Staff writer
In the absence of a city clerk, county clerk Carol Maggard installed newly-elected officers Monday at the Lincolnville City Council meeting.
Barbara Kaiser was sworn in as mayor, and Christina Peterson and Kristen Ebaben were sworn in as council members. All of them were elected as write-ins.
Kaiser replaces Scott Gutsch, Peterson replaces Evelyn Matz, and Ebaben replaces Sylvia Bailey, all who did not run again.
The mayor read a resignation letter from clerk Jane Pigorsch, and the council voted to accept it.
After 10 minutes in executive session, the council voted to employ Sabrina (Albrecht) Carson as city clerk. Carson is the daughter of Peterson, who abstained from voting.
“Jane did a good job,” Joe Vinduska said. “She was very efficient.”
The council passed a motion requiring Carson to be at city hall from 4-6 p.m. every Wednesday to serve residents. Treasurer Clay Simons will be compensated for extra time he spends assisting Carson in her new position.
The council voted to change locks at city hall. They asked that Dawn Kaiser send letters and make telephone calls to vendors about the change in city clerks.
The council elected Sherri Pankratz as vice mayor. Mayor Kaiser assigned members to the following chairmanships: parks and recreation, Dawn Kaiser; community center, Peterson; city events, Ebaben; streets, Pankratz; and sewer, Vinduska.
Mayor Kaiser requested a special meeting to set goals for the coming year. Simons suggested it be combined with the budget planning meeting in June. No date was set.
Simons reported that slightly less than 23 percent of the budget was spent as of April 30.
Evelyn Matz reported that Gary Diepenbrock returned $300 he received for work he did for the city and requested the money be spent for the community building. Three ceiling fans were purchased for $209.97. Someone will be hired to install them.
Dawn Kaiser reported that new bases and plugs will be installed at the ball diamond. The council approved payment of $20 per hour to Steve and Anita Svoboda for dirt work they are doing at the ball field.
The next meeting is at 7 p.m. June 1 at city hall.