LIMESTONE, Maine — Donna Bernier won’t be found in the Limestone Town Office for the first time since 1978 starting on Monday, when she officially begins her retirement — for real, this time.
Bernier was initially slated to step down in November but her employment was extended until December and then January to help train the new staff — the most senior of which is Limestone’s secretary, Margaret Catron, who’s been on the job for two months.
“I certainly wish all the luck in the world to the new staff,” Bernier said fondly. She also expressed her appreciation of the town’s department heads, the newest of whom is Recreation Director Bill Tucker, who was hired last fall.
“The town is very fortunate to have each and every one of them, and I obviously wish them continued support and hope for the best for them as well,” Bernier added.
A graduate of what was then the Limestone High School, Bernier has served in every role the Town Office contains, starting with her first job as town clerk and secretary to the town manager in 1978. She transitioned to the town’s tax collector in the early ‘90s and remained in that position until 1998, when she became treasurer, but maintained her duties as town clerk.
In 2003, when Bernier became Limestone’s town manager, her daughter was 12 years old; now, her daughter’s a newlywed teaching first-graders in Easton.
“It’s been a long history — I came to Limestone as a young 26-year-old,” Bernier commented. “I’ve enjoyed it, but I’m certainly looking forward to the next chapter in my book.”
Being Limestone’s town manager meant being on-call 24/7; as such, Bernier is looking forward to having enough time for the hobbies she hasn’t been able to commit to, like quilting.
Working for the town, Bernier’s schedule’s been dominated with municipal matters and weekends have been spent on chores and errands — and work-related phone calls.
“I look forward to having time for myself, and spending more time with my mother, who’s 90,” Bernier said with a big smile.
Some travel is in Bernier’s future and she does plan on moving — but she doesn’t plan on moving far, as much of her family resides in Limestone.
“Limestone has always been very near and dear to my heart — it has always been and always will be, no matter where I live,” she said.
She’s gotten to know the community closely over the decades — good, bad, or indifferent — and made many friends, like recently retired longtime town clerk, Marlene Durepo.
“Marlene and I have always been very close, and we’ve always had an excellent relationship,” the former town manager described. “We knew where we stood with each other and sometimes we knew what buttons to push — and sometimes we did — but Marlene and I are so very good friends today.”
Some times have been easier than others, but Bernier clearly takes pride in the work she’s done for the community.
“My biggest challenge is to have someone come into your office who’s very unhappy, but you sit and talk with them for a while and when they leave, they’re in a much better mood,” she said. Bernier’s been pretty successful in that aspect, but she’s learned to take criticism with a grain of salt, too.
There’s been a lot of different selectpersons she’s worked with and for the most part, she’s had their support.
“Working with the public for as many years as I’ve been working with the public, your skin gets pretty tough,” she said with a grin.
With her imminent retirement, Bernier has been visited frequently by citizens of the town who’ve expressed their support and appreciation for her commitment to the town.
One of such supporters was concerned that Bernier would be bored.
“Gee, I hope so!” the retiring official said with a big smile.
