By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — The new town planner in Naples better have a strong set of legs because he or she is going to “hit the floor running.”

After several months of advertising for a town planner and getting no response, the Town of Naples decided to solicit bid proposals. Actually, a couple of Portland-based planning firms contacted the town and offered a contractual agreement — if the position wasn’t filled.

The Naples Board of Selectmen on Monday awarded the job to Sebago Technics.

Last week, interviews were conducted by a panel, which included Naples Town Manager John Hawley, Code Enforcement Officer Renee Carter, and selectmen Jim Grattelo and Bob Caron II.

The competing firms were North Star Planning and Sebago Technics.

On Monday, Hawley said that he and Carter had different recommendations and he would prefer to hear from the selectmen who sat on the interview panel first.

“My feeling of who could better the town immediately is Sebago Technics,” Caron said.

“We need action now. Sebago Technics is the one I would be voting for,” he said.

Chairman Jim Grattelo said he agreed with Caron’s choice.

“These people can hit the ground running,” Grattelo said.

“We have a short-term situation that needs to be addressed. Sebago Technics can do that. They can hit the ground running next week,” he said.

The town has several moratoriums in place that need to be replaced with ordinances. In fact, it is very likely there will be a Special Town Meeting this fall so that residents can either adopt ordinances or send the planner back to the drawing board. 

Hawley, too, weighed in on his selection for the town planner.

“I went with Sebago Technics as well,” Hawley said. “We have so much that needs to be done right up front. Sebago has 75 people.”

He added that North Star Planning did a good job with codification for the town.

Caron said, “Nothing against the other company. Our needs are immediate.”

The vote was unanimous to enter into a contractual agreement with Sebago Technics.