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By DARLA L. PICKETT
Staff Writer 11/18/2007

But the hats -- baseball caps actually -- lined up on a shelf in his office aren't part of a hat fetish. The labels on each represents a job that is part of the town manager's role he assumed almost five years ago in this community of 3,300 people.

In addition to being a town manager who oversees a $3 million municipal budget, Doucette's job description includes road commissioner, emergency management director, enhanced 911 director, airport administrator, finance director, purchasing agent, sewer administrator, general assistance director and tax collector. He also does performance evaluations for each of the town's 22 employees.

"Those are the ones selectmen have assigned, plus others they can assign when they need to," Doucette said during one busy day in his office this week.

Doucette, 56, is quick to point out that he gets help. He said Deputy Tax Collector Charlotte Curtis, for instance, does all the tax billing, while Doucette does the collections.

Sometimes he knocks on doors. Sometimes he puts property up for sale. Other times he sets up payment plans. A self-proclaimed "penny pincher," Doucette said when he took over in 2003, property taxes were owed as far back as 1994. Today, he said, unpaid property taxes are only owed as far back as 2004.

Road foreman Joseph Bishop and town manager's secretary Sharon Dodge also do a lot of the legwork that assures tasks get done, he said.

"And we have a town loaded with volunteers," he said, pointing to the recreation department, library trustees, Chamber of Commerce, Oosoola Park group and historical society.

Michael Starn of the Maine Municipal Association said many town managers in rural Maine multi-task to assure that various parts of government work. But, he said, Doucette appears to be a standout.

"Those types of managers are not that frequent, they go a little bit above and beyond the call of duty and do whatever is needed," Starn said. "It's easy for a manager to say 'I've got too many other things to take that on too.' It's admirable that (Doucette) would take on all those responsibilities."

Known as a problem solver, Doucette has reorganized management at Central Maine Regional Airport to meet federal guidelines and has helped establish payment plans for sewer users.

When a devastating 2003 Labor Day fire destroyed a downtown business, Doucette was there helping direct traffic. And last winter, when the road crew worked more than 20 hours during one heavy hitting storm, Doucette pulled a truck from the highway garage and plowed snow himself.

Also, as plans emerge for the new bridge replacement for the old concrete span across the Kennebec River, Doucette is taking an active role in making sure the history of the old bridge is preserved.

And those are only the jobs he gets paid for. The unflappable Doucette often puts on a new "hat" simply because a task presents itself.

In charge of maintenance for 12 town cemeteries, Doucette has been found searching out a plot for an inquiring relative. Or, as a member of the Oosoola Park Committee, he might be out checking out locations for the next park event.

Recently, he and the code enforcement officer even accompanied Animal Control Officer Kathleen Ross as backup to make sure she didn't have a problem with a resident.

"I don't believe in just sitting behind this desk; I believe in getting out there, in the public," he said.

Doucette gets involved. His interest in economic development has evolved into vice chairmanship of the town's Chamber of Commerce. Last year, he became chairman of the Somerset Economic Development Corp.

"One thing about John, if he gets interested in a project and wants to contribute, he will," said James Batey, Somerset County's economic developer. "He's a man of his word and he does what he says he will do. He seems to be tireless. He's very interested in job development, growth and economic development in this county. I like him; he's one of the worker bees."

Doucette has an open door policy and a lay-it-on-the-line approach, according to Robert Dunphy, code enforcement officer for several Somerset County towns.

"He's up front. If you're not doing your job, he works it out, he doesn't kick you out. He's a people person," Dunphy said. "He takes very complex issues and they become little ones; he puts them in understandable, little pockets. He makes Norridgewock one of the best towns I work for."

Doucette said he loves the community and respects the selectmen: "They let me do what I need; if there's a problem, then they let me know what it is."

Doucette said 21 years in the Air Force has served him well, giving him a varied background, including 14 years as a recruiter throughout New England, five-and-a-half of which were spent in Waterville.

He has served as an aircraft mechanic, a medical recruiter and an instructor, attaining the rank of master sergeant.

At the same time, Doucette -- a Red Sox fan -- never misses an opportunity to inject a little humor into his politics. A few weeks ago, he helped create fake tombstones complete with photos of New York Yankees notables with crossbones beneath and stuck them in the front yards of several Yankees fans in town.

This week, he chuckled when he got an amusing musical greeting card in response.

"I love it," Doucette said. "I do this job not just for the money, the town of Norridgewock has been very good to me."

Darla L. Pickett -- 474-9534, Ext. 341

dpickett@centralmaine.com

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