Southwest Harbor Says Goodbye to Marilyn Lowell
New Town Manager, Karen Redderson, On Duty & Other Select Board News
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—The Southwest Harbor Select Board made it absolutely official Tuesday night as it unanimously appointed Karen Redderson its new town manager. Redderson replaces Marilyn Lowell who had announced her retirement from the position earlier this year.
“I am excited for the opportunity to serve the town of Southwest Harbor and the larger MDI community,” Redderson said this summer. “We love the town and the Island, and look forward to to being there in the near future.”
The two are overlapping their service.
A statement from the town read, “She brings experience supervising, managing, and mentoring employees, as well as strategic planning, budgeting, and procurement experience.”
Reddersen is the extension director for the University of Maryland. She manages 40 staff and faculty members there.
“She also works closely and partners with state, federal, and non profit organizations,” the town wrote. “She is experienced with grant writing and reporting, an asset she will use as town manager.”
Reddersen also worked as Assistant Director of Internal Services for the city of Salisbury, Maryland. Before that, she was a management analyst at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland. She also has experience in human resources. She holds a Master’s of Science in Business from the University of Maryland.
She currently owns property in Southwest Harbor. Select Board Chair Carolyn Ball said that it’s been years since a town manager has also lived in the town. The town issued a statement to that effect. The last was Ken Minier. Reddersen and her husband have two adult children. One is in college.
Last October, Lowell said she was retiring. She has been the town manager since 2021 and shepherded the town before that time as its town clerk.
Lowell lives in Ellsworth and had been the town clerk since 2013. She had also been assistant town manager and interim town manager in Southwest Harbor. Before her time in Southwest, she’d been Hancock’s town clerk for more than 11 years.
There is a party for her this Friday.
Back in 2021, Marilyn Lowell was hired after a nationwide search. The town had decided that its town clerk was also it’s best option.
Now, that Lowell is retiring, she’s passing the reigns to Redderson.
Redderson has said that it’s been great to meet the Southwest Harbor team and its Select Board and she looks forward to meeting the residents.
“It is such an amazing place and I am honored to be selected to serve as the town manager,” she said.
Redderson’s three-year appointment is effective until September 17, 2027. She was also appointed as the town’s treasurer, tax collector, general assistance administrator, and road commissioner for the remaining year until June 20, 2025. She was also appointed the Maine Municipal Association voting delegate.
LOWELL’S RETIREMENT PARTY
Residents are invited to the Southwest Harbor Town Office, Friday, September 27, to commemorate Town Manager Marilyn Lowell's retirement. The event runs from
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided!
CEO AND DEPUTY CEO POSITIONS
The board approved John Larson staying on as code enforcement officer until at least the end of January 2025. Katie Parson, the deputy CEO has resigned because of medical reasons. That resignation was effective September 12.
“He is still certified until the end of January of 2025,” Lowell said. To continue past that date, he’d have to take a test to continue his certification.
Tremont is also discussing the CEO position because Larson’s resignation had been accepted. That town is discussing other possibilities for the position, such as potentially hiring a full-time code enforcement officer.
Larson has two separate contracts with the towns. He works two days in each town.
Eventually, Southwest Harbor will determine if the Select Board would like to re-appoint him if no one has been hired.
GENERAL ASSISTANCE ORDINANCE PASSED
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the Select Board amended its General Assistance Ordinance to comply with state changes. This is an annual process “to stay current with local prices for food, housing, etc.” Lowell said.
PETER TROUT’S LIQUOR LICENSE
The board also renewed Peter Trout’s liquor license after discussion about the 48 Shore Road property’s other business, which is lodging. After discussion about a potential series of late applications and payments for overnight parking passes and an alleged business-created pass (rather than town-created pass), the Select Board unanimously approved recommending that staff write a letter to the business owner regarding late payments and extensions on liquor licenses.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR FINISH LINE FESTIVAL
Holly Masterson gave the Select Board an update on the finish line festivities that will happen at the end of the MDI Marathon this October.
Acadia Chamber members have been meeting regularly with input from restaurant owners, and organizers of the marathon.
There are five sponsors and eight food vendors. The only vendor serving alcohol outside will be Fogtown, which is based in Ellsworth. Harbor Table will only be serving alcohol in its restaurant.
There will be a live bandstand on a mobile trailer.
“We’re trying to really fill in Main Street and get people to spread through town” rather than just congregate by the finish line, Masterson said.
Fundraisers will be on a lawn area. Camp Beechcliff will do face painting. The Southwest Harbor Public Library will have book sales, bathrooms, and WIFI.
Every day, she said, people are inquiring about how they can be involved.
There was also some discussion about the Army National Guard setting up an obstacle course, but those details haven’t been finalized.
Typically, the marathon winner comes down Main Street at about 9:30 a.m. with National Guard trucks leading them into town.
There will be not be any “Seek Alternative Routes” signs from Somesville to Southwest. Instead, they hope signs will say that the marathon is in progress and to use caution.
MRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Select Board member Jim Vallette was nominated for one of three director positions to serve a three-year term on the MRC Board of Directors.
PUBLIC ACCESS OFFICER
The board appointed Jennifer LaHaye as the town’s public access officer for a term effective until June 30, 2025.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN AND TRAFFIC AND PARKING ORDINANCE
The town will continue to work on its emergency operations plan and its traffic and parking ordinance.
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