Wiscasset Selectmen’s Chair Pam Dunning announced Tuesday night, Town Manager Dennis Simmons is six months in and no longer probationary. The whole board is “ecstatic, pretty much, with his performance to date,” Dunning said. “The entire board is very happy (and he) is going to continue with us for a very long time, we are hoping. Not letting him go.”

The announcement live on Zoom and YouTube followed a half hour virtual executive session Simmons arranged for the board in a breakout room. In there, each selectman spoke and Simmons shared some challenges and how he managed them, Dunning reported back in open session afterward. Simmons started last July after John O’Connell resigned.

In a phone interview Wednesday morning, Simmons said the challenges have included addressing last year’s ballot error failing to raise funds for parks and recreation. A special town meeting raised the money, fixing the error town officials attributed to the printers. 

“And of course the pandemic is not making things any easier,” he continued. He said guidelines change, and technical issues with Zoom meetings “are frustrating to deal with, frustrating for everybody ... and I’ll be glad when we get some of that past us.”

How did it feel hearing the board’s praise? “I think it might have been a little generous, but I think I’m harder on myself than other people are. But it’s nice to know they’re pleased ... and I’m going to have a paycheck going forward.” Coming off probation changed nothing in his contract; the first year’s pay is $75,000; year two will be $80,000; and year three, $85,000, he said.

Also Tuesday, the board congratulated Erin Bean on going from Wiscasset Ambulance Service’s interim director to director, Simmons’ old job; named Selectman Sarah Whitfield to the comprehensive plan committee; passed a handbook for committees; and agreed to have Selectman Jeff Slack take part in police contract negotiations again this year.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16.