Knight won the association’s Linc Stackpole Award, which goes each year to the Manager of the Year. Knight, who currently serves as manager in the Town of Topsham, is a graduate of the University of Maine’s Master of Public Administration program. He has served as municipal manager for 31 years, including stints in Baileyville, Hallowell, Winthrop and, now, Topsham.
In nominating Knight for the award, Augusta City Manager Bill Bridgeo (among several others) wrote that Knight: “is a quiet, unassuming and congenial man” who is “intelligent, dedicated to good local government, loyal to his councils and employees and (is) tremendously generous.”
Bridgeo noted that several of the towns where Knight has worked became noted for “competent, low-key, efficient town government.”
Robinson, Town Manager in Fayette, won the MTCMA’s 2012 Leadership Award. Robinson was nominated for the award by Mary C. Wright, Chair of the Fayette Board of Selectman, who noted that Robinson has served the town since 2004.
Wright credited Robinson with solving a decades-long dispute among citizens and some property owners that involved public access to a local pond. She wrote that Robinson “has been the healer, expediter, negotiator and friend that the town needed to put this matter behind” it.
Beal, Manager in the City of Ellsworth, was named the MTCMA’s “Rookie of the Year,” an award that goes to managers who have served their municipalities for five years or less.
Gary M. Fortier, Chairman of the Ellsworth City Council, cited many accomplishments during Beal’s four-plus years on the job including: improvements to the city’s Wastewater Treatment Facility; a current project to enhance Knowlton Park; renovating a school building and turning it into a Senior Center; and, fostering economic development throughout the city.
Beal also serves as vice president of the MTCMA and is on the Executive Committee of Maine Municipal Association.
