MOUNT DESERT, Dec. 20, 2022 - The chairman of the school committee was named the new public works director last night by the select board, but not before concern was expressed about potential conflicts.
“You're overseeing some very large portions of our budget, one which you have some influence over and the other which you just execute for the most part?” select member Geoff Wood asked of Brian Henkel, who will start Jan. 17 to replace Tony Smith, who retired.
Henkel acknowledged that there could be conflicts but stated his desire to juggle the two positions.
“I do understand your concerns about the two positions but want to tell you my primary responsibility lies as public works director. I would like to try and stay on the school board if I can.
“I'm aware that there is a significant amount of work and then it may not work out and I'll have to focus on the public works director role. But I don't want to step down yet if I don't have to. I would like to see how it goes.”
Wood, who is a teacher in Southwest Harbor, replied, “I appreciate that. I should have prefaced this whole thing by saying I had no questions about the recommendation, your qualifications to do the job of public works director.
Wood said before his candidacy was known, Henkel had raised the possibility that the town might partner with the schools to add some athletic facilities.
“You couldn't do that as far as I'm concerned if you had the public works director position,” Wood said. “It'd be different is all.”
The governance of schools on MDI is under an island-wide umbrella organization with its own budget.
“There's a lot of money that sort of handed to us as a town that we'd have to collect,” Wood said.
Henkel will be paid an annual salary of $84,815 which will increase to $89,527 after successful completion of a six- month probationary period. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas San Antonio and is a licensed Maine civil engineer.
He is currently employed by Friends of Acadia as its Wild Acadia Project Coordinator. He has served on the Warrant Committee and currently serves on the Investment Committee in addition to the school board.
Another unusual appointment occurred last week in Southwest Harbor when the spouse of an existing Planning Board member was named to fill a vacancy.
Several longtime residents who held public office said they could not recall a husband and wife serving together on one of the town’s important boards, if not the most important.
Priscilla Ksionzyk said she and her husband Jack W. Ksionzyk do not always agree. She was approved 3-2. Select chair Carolyn Ball and member Natasha Johnson voted against the appointment.
SB Chair and paid publics works director?
That's a big conflict., especially at a time what the Boards are considering merging. Henkel should at least step down as chair.