County says goodbye to 2 commissioners and one great lady
The party afterwards was to honor the two commissioners, Mary Trescott and Hamilton Meserve. Each received a citation, a lovely framed photograph, and a generous gift certificate for their years of service. Pictured from left, Mary Trescott, Hamilton Meserve and Bill Blodgett (still serving another term). Helen Meserve photo
Longtime journalist Charlotte Boynton says goodbye to Lincoln County commissioners Dec. 17 as she has decided to focus her reporting on features instead of meeting coverage. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
The party afterwards was to honor the two commissioners, Mary Trescott and Hamilton Meserve. Each received a citation, a lovely framed photograph, and a generous gift certificate for their years of service. Pictured from left, Mary Trescott, Hamilton Meserve and Bill Blodgett (still serving another term). Helen Meserve photo
Longtime journalist Charlotte Boynton says goodbye to Lincoln County commissioners Dec. 17 as she has decided to focus her reporting on features instead of meeting coverage. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
It was a day of goodbyes at the Dec. 17 Lincoln County Commissioners meeting. It was the final meeting for two long-serving commissioners, Hamilton Meserve of Southport and Mary Trescot of Newcastle, who finish their third four-year terms this month. Both decided against seeking fourth terms.
It was also the last commissioners' meeting for veteran news reporter Charlotte Boynton, 93. She began her journalism career in 1978 as a Times Record correspondent covering Wiscasset. She currently reports for Lincoln County News. Boynton has decided to focus on features and spot news.
She said her goodbye prior to the commissioners' meeting. "I've covered this wonderful board for 25 years and I think it's time to hand my pen to someone younger who is better able to hear," she said.
Meserve congratulated her on a fine career and wished her well. "What is great about your presence here, it's predictable. Thank you, for your service and coverage. We are going to miss you," he said.
Boynton also worked at Bath Iron Works from 1980 to 1998. She returned to journalism in the early 2000s working for Wiscasset Newspaper. In 2013, she began working for Lincoln County News.
After the meeting, commissioners presented her with a bouquet of roses, lilies and carnations.
Sheriff Todd Brackett honored Trescott and Meserve with words of praise. Brackett told commissioners when he began his 22-year tenure as sheriff in 2003, it wasn't a smooth transition.
"This is our last meeting, and I wanted to tell you my relationship with a past board started out rocky at best," he said. "But it's truly been a pleasure to work with all of you and Carrie (Kipfer). For the past decade, I've appreciated the professionalism and the two-way dialogue allowing me to be myself. I will miss you both, and it's been a pleasure working with you."
Meserve told Brackett working with him was also a pleasure. "It's been likewise for us, especially when you deal with professionals on the other side of the table," he said. "Mary (Trescot) and I are grateful to know you," he said.
Later in the afternoon, commissioners held a reception for new commissioners Evan Goodkowsky of Wiscasset, who replaces Meserve, and David Levesque of Newcastle, who replaces Trescot.
The new commissioners begin their terms on Jan. 7, 2025.
