Dave Pearson has worked for the Town of Dexter since 1986 when he was first hired as General Assistance Administrator. Within a year, he became Code Enforcement Officer and Health Officer. In 1988, Pearson became the town’s assessor. In 1995, he became Assistant Town Manager and in 1998, Bail Commissioner for Penobscot County. With the exception of GA Administrator and Code Enforcement Officer, Pearson still holds all of these positions. And now, he is again, for the third time, Acting Town Manager.

In addition to these roles for the Town, Pearson is community-oriented. He is a member of the Maine Association of Assessing Officers and treasurer of the Dexter Historical Society, Child Development Services, Board of Directors, Dexter Regional Development Commission and finally, Wayside Grange #590, Master.

Councilors Sherman Leighton and Judy Wilbur Craig agree that Pearson’s “doing a great job” (as Town Manager).

Leighton said unofficially, “I can’t speak for the entire council, but we have talked. Our intentions are, in my opinion,” he said, “we’ve decided we’re going to advertise the job, as in the past. We don’t plan on doing that until we see the new council” in January.

“David’s doing a very fine job sorting through stuff and getting the town back in a workable situation.”

“Some councilors and staff feel Pearson would be a good Town Manager,” said Craig. “He knows the town inside and out and he’s been here for 20-plus years,” she added. After the Nov. 4 election with a new council in place,” things will become clearer, Leighton added, “Of course, we’d have to hire an Assessor.”

As for Pearson, he’s ready to entertain an offer. As of Friday afternoon, Pearson said no one (from the council) had approached him. He has, however, weighed the pros and cons and said he’s “leaning toward the (Town Manager) position.”

“I need to know more about what they want and expect. Maybe I don’t have the skill-set they need,” Pearson added. “I think they should advertise the position and see what’s out there. I’m happy being assessor.”

Pearson said that as this is his third time being Acting Town Manager, “I’m not looking forward to a fourth,” indicating it might be easier to just accept the position instead of trying to fill in.

“There’s been a high turnover – four to five town managers –for various reasons,” he said. “Some left for better-paying jobs and you can’t blame them for that. Some just had personality conflicts and other issues.”

This item is expected to be on the agenda for council discussion and public input at the next meeting of the Town Council on Thursday, Oct. 9. "This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the SVWeekly.com and is used here with permission."