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City selects a new planner
ELLSWORTH The position of city planner will be filled by Elena Piekut, who was assistant to the city planner from 2012 to 2015, under former planner Michele Gagnon. Piekut will assume the position on Feb. 1, 2021.
“[Piekut] has extensive experience in land use planning, grant writing, GIS mapping, zoning, environmental policy and community services,” stated city Human Resources and Payroll Specialist Toni Dyer in announcing the position has been filled. The position has been vacant since Oct. 23, when then-Planner Theresa Oleksiw abruptly resigned after four months.
Piekut is moving back to the area from Dover, N.H., a city of 32,000, where she served as assistant city planner and zoning administrator, with responsibility for administering and enforcing Dover’s zoning. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human ecology, with coursework in architectural planning, conservation planning and community development from College of the Atlantic.
Ordinance amendments on City Council agenda
ELLSWORTH Four city ordinances are set for amendment at the City Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 21. A public hearing will precede any council vote. Most of the proposed revisions are minor and are designed to bring the city ordinances into compliance with state law.
The proposed amendments to the Personnel Ordinance are based on new state law, effective Jan. 1, 2021, requiring employers to grant annual paid time off on Jan. 1. Currently, city employees accrue paid time off through earned credit based on the hours they clock in. Now, full- and part-time staff will receive their yearly PTO on Jan. 1, based on the state formula of one hour for every 40 hours worked. Toni Dyer, who handles human resources and payroll, said no cost difference will arise from implementing the new law.