HODGDON, Maine — Hodgdon Town Manager Jim Griffin cannot really put a finger on why the time was right for him to step away from public service.
After nearly 30 years serving the community, Griffin said he just felt like now was the right time for him to take a step back from the day-to-day stresses of municipal government. Griffin attended his final board of selectmen meeting on Tuesday, June 7.
“Juggling all of the things that need to be done in a small town setting is probably the hardest part of the job,” Griffin said. “A lot of times it is something that you have no control over, but you have to handle it.”
His replacement, Darcy Oliver, has been the deputy town clerk for Hodgdon for the past few years. She will step into the town manager role, while Megan Fitzpatrick has been hired as the new deputy town clerk.
Hodgdon is the only community where he has ever served as a town manager. Prior to his time in public service, he worked for 15 years for F.A. Peabody Company in Houlton.
“I don’t think you can put it into words what Jim has meant to this community,” selectboard member Sheila Murchie said. “He has always gone above and beyond — and way outside the scope of his job — to serve this community.”
Murchie added Griffin spent countless hours serving on every committee the town had.
“When we needed to appoint somebody, it was always Jim,” she said.
“You made a profound difference and we wish you all the best in your retirement,” board chairman Rick Tidd said.
Aside from the role of town manager, Griffin also served as town clerk, tax collector, treasurer, road commissioner, general assistance administrator and housing manager and was a volunteer with the Hodgdon Fire Department.
He said he plans to continue serving with the fire department, even though he is a resident of Houlton. He joined the department back in 1994.
Of all the many projects he has been involved with, it was his work in getting the Southern Aroostook Emergency Medical Services group off the ground that makes him most proud. The SAEMS is a newly-formed ambulance service that covers 10 communities in southern Aroostook.
His advice to his successor is simple.
“Keep a good sense of humor,” he said. “Some people may have an issue you have to deal with, but the majority of the time, if they stop and think about it, it is not that big of an issue. You have to take it all with a grain of salt and make your own enjoyment.”
