WATERVILLE — City Councilor Brandon Gilley, D-Ward 1, is the council’s new leader, having been elected unanimously Tuesday as council chairman.
Gilley, 40, was nominated by Councilor Rebecca Green, D-Ward 4, who has served as chair the last four years and chose not to continue in the top spot.
“I appreciate Brandon’s openness, his responsiveness, his willingness to listen, his passion for Waterville’s citizens,” Green said, “and I believe he will work very well with the mayor and other councilors to ensure that we function as a governing body, and I’m excited to nominate him for this position.”
Councilor Scott Beale, D-Ward 6, said, “I’ve enjoyed learning from Brandon. I found him to be very knowledgeable on city issues, and willing to listen. I question his judgment about riding a motorcycle but other than that, everything is fine.”
Gilley, a deputy for the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office who works in the transport division there, was elected to the council in 2022. He told councilors and other city officials Tuesday that he appreciated the opportunity to serve as chair.
“I have big shoes to fill. I look forward to the challenges ahead and I’m humbled by your support. Thank you very much.”
Brandon Gilley, Waterville City Council chairman
Gilley said Wednesday in a phone interview that he is very happy to have been elected chairman by his peers.
His main focus on the council has been to be a strong voice for Waterville taxpayers, he said. He always answers calls and emails from constituents and said it is a great opportunity to get a feel for what is going on in the community. Families and businesses work hard and deserve to have representatives who help to lower taxes and are accountable to residents, Gilley said.
“I like to talk to people and I like to problem solve and I think it’s important people know that I will listen,” he said.
A 2004 Waterville Senior High School graduate who also attended Thomas College, Gilley has a wife, Kristen, and son, Jack, who will turn 10 in February.
Tuesday was the first council meeting for Nicholas Cloutier, who started his job as city administrator on Monday. He was sworn in to the position by City Clerk Patti Dubois, who also swore in new councilor Samantha Burdick, D-Ward 3, who succeeds Thomas Klepach, and Councilor Spencer Krigbaum, D-Ward 5, who was elected to the council in March last year after Ken Gagnon vacated the seat the previous December. Burdick was chair of the Waterville Planning Board before being elected to the council.
