CARIBOU, Maine — Three members of the Caribou Planning Board, who recently announced their intentions to step down at the end of the year, were honored during a Dec. 9 City Council meeting.
Vice Chairman Phil Cyr, Secretary Phil McDonough III and Todd Pelletier were all given special recognition from Caribou Mayor Mark Goughan, but McDonough and Pelletier were not able to attend the meeting.
“I can’t think of a board that has so much importance to the city while also getting very little gratitude,” said Goughan. “I appreciate the people who want to be on boards, and I especially appreciate the people who have been on this board and I do not take it lightly.”
Three members of the Caribou Planning Board, who recently announced that they plan to retire at the end of the year, were recognized during a Dec. 12 planning board meeting for their service to the city. Pictured in the front, from left, are planning board members Todd Pelletier, Phil Cyr, and Phil McDonough III. In the back, from left, are Caribou City Manager Dennis Marker and Caribou Zoning Administrator Ken Murchison. (Contributed photo)
“Phil,” the mayor continued, “I want to thank you very much for your service to our community. Take a year off. Go flying, and then come on back again. As I said, it’s not a very recognizable board, but you all do something that needs to be done.”
Cyr thanked the city for the recognition, and emphasized that the board’s work is “a team effort that involves city staff.”
“Several people have been there and I think some people look at it as training for the city council, but it’s just a task that carries on and on. So I thank you all for the recognition,” said Cyr.
The mayor presented Cyr with a certificate for his time on the board, and all in attendance gave him a big round of applause before the council moved on to the next agenda item.
In 2020, the board will be down from seven to four members, which Chairman Robert White wrote in a letter to the editor “leaves the board with barely a quorum for meetings.”
Those interested in applying can visit the city clerk’s office at 25 High St. to obtain an application, call 207-493-5967, or email Ken Murchison at kmurchison@cariboumaine.org.
