Select Board appoints Jennifer Olson and Luke York to downtown TIF advisory committee

The Skowhegan Select Board appointed Jennifer Olson to a downtown business seat on the downtown TIF advisory committee during its Sept. 9 meeting. Amber abstained from the vote; the motion carried 4-0 with one abstention.

Board members also accepted the Chamber of Commerce's unanimous nomination of Luke York to fill the chamber seat on the TIF advisory committee and voted to appoint him that night. The board agreed Mr. York's application had not been submitted in time but that staff had received email confirmation of the chamber's nomination and Mr. York could file a retroactive application.

Amber, who chairs the downtown TIF advisory committee, summarized outreach to fill two open seats and noted other committee business coming up, including a quarterly TIF review. Select board members discussed whether the entire newly constituted committee should take oaths and how past tabling of the oversight committee affected today's appointments; staff and board members said they would handle outstanding administrative steps, including oaths at a later date if needed.

Jennifer Olson was introduced as having recent roles in local downtown projects and currently working at the Skowhegan Beer Garden; board members noted prior service on related local commissions. The chamber chair's unanimous nomination of Luke York was confirmed by staff and accepted by the board.

Amber recused herself from the vote on Jennifer Olson because Olson works for Amber; Amber explicitly noted the conflict before the vote. The board recorded the actions and will follow up on committee administration and any required oaths at upcoming meetings.