FALMOUTH — The town’s top administrator has won his profession’s top statewide honor.

Town Manager Nathan Poore was named the Linc Stackpole Manager of the Year Aug. 12 by the Maine Town, City and County Management Association.

He received the award at the association’s annual meeting in Bethel.

“I am deeply honored to receive such an award from my peers,” Poore said Tuesday morning.

Poore said he didn’t “instantly become a town manager with success,” but said it took many years of learning from many people, including his staff, past and present town councilors, other communities he has served, and peers in other communities.

“It’s all of those folks that have made me who I am,” Poore said, while also thanking his family for their support.

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He began his career in management as the town administrator of Fryeburg in 1992. He was the manager in Raymond and then Kennebunkport before taking the Falmouth position in 2006, when he replaced long-serving Town Manager John “Doug” Harris

The award, named after a late Machias town manager, is given annually to the manager who meets criteria outlined by the association, and “has contributed to the public management field in some outstanding fashion.” The group identifies the Linc Stackpole award as “the most prestigious award” it bestows.

A recipient of the award must be nominated for it, and Poore was nominated by Amy Lamontagne, the town’s assistant town manager. Additionally, the recipient cannot have won the award before.

Andrew Hart, who is on the board of directors of the association and chairs its awards committee, said Poore’s nomination “definitely met all the criteria,” including demonstration of integrity and leadership, and that he has the respect and confidence of his peers.

Town Council Chairman David Goldberg said the honor is well deserved for several reasons.

“Nathan runs a tight ship,” Goldberg said. “He’s earned the respect of town staff that work for him, he continually has the respect of the Town Council, and is probably one of the more talented town managers in the state of Maine.”

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Goldberg added the award is also for involvement outside of work, and said Poore is “a community-oriented guy who is involved with many activities” involving his community and his family.

“In my opinion, high marks on all those aspects,” Goldberg said.

Yarmouth Town Manager Nathaniel Tupper, who received the award in 2013, said it is not for a certain set of accomplishments in a year, but rather “for longstanding service and leadership” within the profession and in Maine.

Tupper said Poore has several qualifications that make him worthy of the award, and called him “a gentleman and a professional, a hard-working guy who always has a practical, but principled approach.”

“He shows up and has done homework, he listens well, and he tries to solve problems with other people,” Tupper said, adding Poore always tries to reach common solutions and has promoted several regional collaborations, specifically with Yarmouth and Cumberland.

“He adds a tremendous amount to everyon’s success,” Tupper said.

Poore is not the first Falmouth town manager to receive the annual award. Harris won it in 2000.

Colin Ellis can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 123 or cellis@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @colinoellis.

Nathan Poore


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