Tim Pellerin has been named to replace George "Bud" Finch as Harrison's new town manager. He previously served as town manager and fire chief in Rangeley.

By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

HARRISON — Tim Pellerin is used to putting out fires.

He has been a longtime firefighter, following in the footsteps of his father, who was a fire chief. In a published story, he said, “As long as I could walk and talk, my Dad started dragging me to the fire station. As young as seven years old, I can remember going on a fire call with my Dad. It was ingrained into me. It just came natural to me. I was around it as a kid and everything I wanted to do was just to be a fireman.”

He also handles the little and big brush-ups that occur on the municipal front as a town manager.

Now, Pellerin is bringing his unique skill set to Harrison.

Pellerin will succeed George “Bud” Finch as the town’s new manager following a lengthy search. He previously served as town manager and fire chief in Rangeley.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Harrison because of its character that resembles the Rangeley region, but allows me to be closer to my family and friends,” Pellerin said.

Details of the transition are still being worked out, Finch reported. The contract is for three-years at $70,000 plus benefits, according to Board Chairman Matt Frank. Seven to eight candidates were interviewed, Frank added, while the town received 25 applications “mostly from Maine, some from Massachusetts and one from as far away as Oregon.”

“He and I both agree we will do what it takes to make it a smooth seamless transition in the best interest of both communities,” Finch said. “Yes, it has been a long process here in Harrison, as it has been in most every town in Maine seeking to find a new manager.”

Pellerin was born and raised in Westbrook, attended Westbrook schools, and graduated from Westbrook High School.

He started his full-time firefighting career in 1980 and worked in Brunswick, Portland, Westbrook, and Rangeley Fire Departments over the last 38 years. He also served as Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency director for seven years before accepting the Rangeley positions. His Rangeley crew spent a week helping Canadian fire departments with a train derailment in Lac-Megantic (a town in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec), which spilled crude oil resulting in fires and explosions. More than 30 buildings (half of the downtown) were destroyed and 47 were killed, making the incident the fourth-deadliest rail accident in Canadian history.

Pellerin has been in municipal government administration since 1994, serving in the positions of Deputy Chief, Fire Chief, Director, and Manager.

He served the last four years as Rangeley’s town manager and six years as Fire Chief. He has an A/S in Fire Science, a Certificate in Emergency Management, and a Certificate in Municipal Management.

“By all accounts, Tim is a hard worker, takes a no-nonsense approach, has great integrity and common sense, is highly positive and is an effective leader,” Frank said.

Pellerin has a son, daughter, and two granddaughters.

“I enjoy outdoor sports including hunting, fishing, boating and snowmobiling,” he said.

Frank noted the town’s appreciation of the work Finch has accomplished in his 7 ½ years as town manager.

“Since Bud became our town manager, the town is in a far better place since he arrived 7 ½ years ago,” Frank said. “He will be 69 years old in April, and he should be able to spend his time with his children and grandchildren (as well as being in the sun of Florida in the winter months). He is leaving on his own terms, just the way it should be.”