CARMEL, Maine — Days after Carmel Town Manager Kevin Howell died while saving his son after they fell through the ice on Etna Pond, town officials are dealing with a new dilemma: how to govern without a leader.
Those who worked with the former town manager say he brought an expansive vision to his role, and a true care toward improving the community he served.
As Penobscot County Commissioner Andre Cushing remembers, “Kevin was one of those rare town managers who put his heart into the job.”
That included, many times, stepping into other roles to help out the town. According to Dan Frye, the chair of the Carmel Board of Selectmen and a former NEWS CENTER Maine employee, Howell served as road commissioner, tax collector, and town clerk, to name just a few of the duties he took on.
Now, after his death, the Board of Selectmen is trying to fill the imprint left by Howell. Meeting on Monday with an attorney and outside consultant, the board began the work of delegating tasks—all with the understanding that replacing what Howell did would likely not happen.
“To fill his one shoe for the town, we had to find multiple people who could step up to that role,” Frye said Monday.
A selectman agreed to become interim road commissioner, and several other positions went to those in the town office.
While the business churned on, members of the board felt acutely aware of the solemn backdrop of it all.
“It was one of the hardest meetings that I have had to attend. And I hope I never have to go through this again,” Selectwoman Suzan Rudnicki said Monday.
Though many of Howell’s auxiliary roles were filled, the board declined to select an interim town manager, giving no definitive timeframe as to when that decision would be made.
“We might, as soon as Wednesday, find someone. Or, it might take a little longer,” Frye said.
The Carmel town office will be closed Tuesday in remembrance of Kevin Howell.