Interim city manager reports on legal-services RFP, staffing shortages and incoming grants

Interim City Manager Denise Brown reported at the June 18 Gardiner City Council meeting that the city on June 18 issued a request for proposals for legal services to 10 firms and posted the RFP on the city website; the submission deadline is July 18.

Brown said the city has struggled to recruit for a chief wastewater operator position and has had only two applications in about five or six weeks. To ensure staffing at the plant, she said the city will advertise for an additional operator (not chief) so the plant has enough certified operators on site; the plan is to promote from within when staff obtain required licensure.

Brown also reported grant and reimbursement developments: the city expects a $75,000 award from Community Resiliency for a heat-pump project by July, and MEMA has notified the city it will receive the second half of FEMA funds for the Harrison Avenue project—approximately $600,000—also by July. Brown said the city will wait until funds are in hand before proceeding with work.

Other operational notes included a paving schedule for the top of Church Street slated for the following week and continued crosswalk painting in the downtown area. Brown reminded council the city will not hold its July 2 meeting and will resume council meetings July 16.

Why it matters

The legal-services RFP and the timeline for submissions set a schedule for replacing outside counsel after the departure of a previous firm. The wastewater staffing plan affects essential public-works operations and compliance; the incoming grant and FEMA funds could free the city to proceed on energy and storm-recovery projects.

Sources: Gardiner City Council meeting transcript, June 18, 2025 (statements by Interim City Manager Denise Brown).