HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Town Council officially appointed a new treasurer, filling a position in the town office that has been vacant for several months.
Kimberly Denbow was unanimously approved as the town’s newest employee during a Monday night meeting.
Denbow previously served as an accountant for 16 years at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Limestone before relocating to Houlton. She worked for the County Federal Credit Union in the Shiretown for the past few years.
The council also approved a victualer’s license for James Souza, doing business as American Dream Pizza Hut; and approved the execution of a construction area agreement with the Maine Department of Transportation for work on Interstate 95.
Town Manager Marian Anderson took a moment to thank the Houlton Fire Department, along with the many other agencies that assisted during last week’s major fire on Mechanic Street.
“Our departments that responded performed above and beyond, saving many lives and many downtown properties,” Anderson said. “Our sincerest sympathies go to the family that lost a loved one.”
The town has collected nearly $5,000 in donations, with the money being used to purchase items for those affected by the fire, she said.
“As most of the council knows, we cannot give cash (to the victims), so what we have been doing is trying to meet the needs, whether it be food, clothing, emergency housing or security deposits,” Anderson said.
Councilor Sue Tortello said the board should explore avenues for affordable housing in Houlton.
“We may want to address this issue in the near future,” she said. “Affordable housing is very difficult to find right now, and now we have 14 apartments that are no longer available.”
