People Around Town: February 27, 2022

The Sanford Water District is proud to announce the graduation of two employees, District Engineer Keith Levasseur and Water Quality Manager Nicholas Tumolo, from the Joint Environmental Training Coordinating Committee’s (JETCC) Management Candidate School. 

The Management Candidate School (MCS) is coordinated through JETCC with support from the Maine DEP and DHHS, Maine Water Environment Association, Maine Water Utilities Association, and NEIWPCC. This training program provides the intensive training, networking and skill-development coursework necessary to prepare the next generation of water and wastewater managers and leaders. With many of Maine’s current water and wastewater managers at or near retirement age, it is hoped that the individuals who complete the MCS program will be able to continue the critical work of managing the state’s water and wastewater treatment infrastructure.

Sanford Sewerage District employee Alex King, pictured above right, received a diploma for his participation in a multi-year Management Candidate School (MCS) which he attended monthly from November 2019 through February 2022. This program was designed to be completed in one year but delays due to the pandemic extended this particular MCS class into a two-plus-year program with many classes taking place via Zoom. Alex, along with 20 other water professionals, participated in Maine’s management curriculum designed to prepare mid-level drinking water and wastewater treatment plant personnel for career advancement in utility management. The curriculum included personnel management, supervisory skills, labor relations, budgeting, and engineering basics. The MCS was coordinated by the Maine Joint Environmental Training Coordinating Committee (JETCC) with support from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Water Environment Association (MEWEA), Maine Water Utilities Association (MWUA) and NEIWPCC. A graduation ceremony was held recently during the annual Maine Water Utilities conference in Augusta.

Social Worker Honored: On February 2nd, 2022, the York County Commissioners recognized Maine Behavioral Health Springvale Clinical Director Janice Teasenfitz, LCSW, for her ongoing commitment and support to the York County Youth Fire Safety Program.

For over 5 years, Janice has provided ongoing programmatic support and guidance to staff as they seek to address youth fire setting through a collaborative and community centered approach. Her commitment to the staff, program, and families is invaluable ensuring that programmatic mission and vision align with community needs. We are grateful for her continued efforts and her commitment to excellence as she supports youth and families throughout York County.

York County Youth Fire Safety Program is a part of the Fire & EMS Assistance Office under the Emergency Management Agency. This program assists to protect communities from the dangers of child and youth fire setting in collaboration with local public and private agencies.

Laura Fitzgerald and Brianna Leigh Gillibrand, both of Springvale, have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.