Jeff Brubaker was sworn in as the town’s new planning and economic development director at the May 26 Town Council meeting.
Brubaker, who lives on Witchtrot Road with his wife, 3-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter, has been Eliot’s town planner since 2020. He is taking the position left open when former planning and economic development director DeCarlo Brown accepted a job in Auburn.
“I’m looking forward to keeping this momentum going and I look forward to working with the town manager, different departments, the Town Council and Planning Board, as well as my co-workers,” said Brubaker, noting that as Eliot planner he worked closely with Brown on several projects.
Also at the meeting, the council unanimously approved naming Jennifer Janelle, assistant town manager and finance director, as interim town manager, effective May 30. She is replacing Town Manager Tim Pellerin, who ended his tenure last week to take a position as town manager in Old Orchard Beach.
In other news at the May 26 council meeting:
- Cameron Mercier, owner of the building at 289 Main St. that once housed South Berwick Pharmacy, told the council he would like his building facade to host the proposed community art mural by Erica Sedler originally planned for the Odd Fellows Building. Mercier said he plans to work with council Vice Chair Mallory Cook on the project. Cook is coordinating the town art committee, which seeks to place art installations throughout the downtown business district, including at Town Hall.
- Councilor Joel Martin will replace Councilor Sam Flinkstrom as a member of the Town Hall Renovation Committee.
- The South Berwick Recreation Department will offer art and cooking classes for teens at the Community Center in July.
- A proposed Town Council evaluation of policies and procedures will be reviewed by the town attorney and will then be the subject of a council public workshop July 14.
- The South Berwick Public Library’s recent book sale raised $3,000, the largest amount to date for the annual event, according to Janelle.
