SKOWHEGAN — The community planner at Kennebec Valley Council of Governments in Fairfield has been contracted by the town of Skowhegan to work with the Planning Board and the Planning Office administration as the town’s primary planner.

KVCOG’s Joel Greenwood will take over planning services from Chris Huck, KVCOG’s planning director for the last 23 years. Huck, who is nearing retirement, will become the town’s deputy planning director. The Skowhegan Planning Board approved the changes in the contract March 15, and selectmen gave Greenwood the nod last week.

The Planning Board approved the move because there is to be a 34 percent increase in the price of Huck’s services, while Greenwood’s services are offered at a lower price than the town currently is paying for Huck’s services, according to Town Manager Christine Almand.

“Recently KVCOG had adjusted their contract rates to more accurately reflect their actual costs,” Almand said. “For Skowhegan, that would have meant a 34 percent increase for Chris Huck’s services. However, by utilizing Joel Greenwood as our primary planner, we will be able to reduce our costs.”

Under the old rates, Huck was paid $67 per hour and Greenwood was paid $50 per hour. Under the new rates, Huck, as a “seasoned planner,” Almand said, will be paid $90 per hour and Greenwood $60 per hour.

“In addition to budgetary savings, this change will also provide good succession planning,” she said of Huck’s pending retirement. “Joel and the town will still have access to Chris’ knowledge of our local history. If any complicated issues arise, we will still be able to bring Chris in for his assistance. Chris has served us well, and we feel that Joel will also do a great job.”

Founded in 1967, KVCOG, is a municipal services corporation, now in its 47th year of serving its municipal members. Membership grew from the founding municipalities to the current 47 member communities representing a population of about 182,000 people, according to the KVCOG website.

Originally from Manchester, England, Greenwood came to Maine in January 2009. He has a background in municipal service, environmental improvement and housing. As the community planner at KVCOG he is responsible for assisting with land use issues, comprehensive planning, ordinance writing, bicycle and pedestrian planning, and maintaining and utilizing the geographic information system.

In his role as a community planner, Greenwood will assist the town in reviewing and revising municipal land use ordinances, attend Planning Board meetings and review applications for Planning Board action.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

Twitter:@Doug_Harlow