HOULTON, Maine — A Katahdin Woods and Waters education specialist was appointed on Monday night to lead Houlton’s recreation department, following the January resignation of Owen Gallop who took a position with Brunswick Parks and Recreation Department.
Crystal Lewis of Island Falls worked for the National Park Service for eight years, serving at both Acadia National Park and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Prior to her park service work, she was a middle and high school science teacher in South Carolina, Ohio and Arizona. She is more recently known for her seasonal Tree Talks with the Maine Forest Service.
Lewis’ salary will be $62,000.
“I have so many ideas but now I’m trying to take it all in and see what the community wants and needs, Lewis said on Monday night after the Houlton Town Council approved her appointment. “I’m being very observant to see what I can do.”
The recreation director position is the first of multiple open leadership slots the town needs to fill.
Last year, this small Aroostook County town of about 6,000 was rocked by controversy and a mass exodus of town leaders in the wake of former Town Manager Cameron Clark’s September felony arrest. During the upheaval, two police officers, five out of seven town councilors and the Director of Public Works and the Houlton International Airport Chris Stewart stepped down.
Although at the time, Stewart who had been on the job for 11 years did not give a reason for his resignation other than it was time to do something else.
Town Clerk Khylee Wampler was appointed assistant town manager in October when Clark was placed on administrative leave. Until Nancy Ketch was appointed interim town manager, Wampler juggled multiple roles — town clerk, assistant town manager, interim tax collector, interim general assistance administrator, public access officer, deputy treasurer, election warden and registrar of voters — until those vacancies were filled.
Clark’s contract was terminated in December, and in January, Code Enforcement Officer Ben Torres and Gallop also resigned.
Despite past town challenges, Lewis said she is thrilled to take on her new role.
After many of her friends and coworkers saw the job posting, they all sent it to her with the message. “You are perfect for this,” she said.
She agreed.
“This is right up my alley,” Lewis said.
The town has interviewed some candidates but has not yet hired a code enforcement officer, public works director or town manager, according to Town Clerk Wampler.
