LINCOLNVILLE — The Lincolnville Board of Selectmen bore witness Monday night to the presentation of a Legislative Sentiment from the 127th Legislature and the State of Maine to long-serving Lincolnville Planning Board member Lois Lyman. In accepting the recognition and honor, Lyman thanked those who came before her, including Lincolnville resident Barbara Tarantino.

"She gave me a lesson in what you should do if you live in a town and you care about it," said Lyman.

At the start of the Board's meeting Sept. 28, Dorothy Havey, special assistant in the Office of Senate President Michael D. Thibodeau (R-Winterport), stood before the selectmen and others at the meeting that as a Lincolnville resident herself, she knew the town was blessed to have many people volunteer to fill positions in the community.

"Where would we be without people who serve as volunteer firefighters, the select board, the historical society, the library, and those who give up countless evenings to attend meetings to make Lincolnville the special place that it is today," said Havey.

She said that a few months earlier, she saw the town advertising several openings on several town committees, and wondered why so many openings. Weren't they just going to continue to serve? Weren't they having a great time?

Havey said she came to realize that for some folks who had served decades, they were ready to step down.

"That told me it was time for somebody else to step up so I applied to serve on the Planning Board, because I was inspired," said Havey. "When I heard [about] the enormous amount of work done by the past board, I knew I should be thankful for their work and leadership to the community."

Working for Thibodeau, also a Waldo County resident, Havey said he asked her earlier this summer what was new in Lincolnville and she told him about her recently joining the planning board. She also told him how inspired she had been by the time and energy contributed by that board over the past decades to form policy, and about the dedication of one person in particular, Lyman.

She said she shared with Thibodeau the details of Lyman's commitment not just to the Planning Board, but to the entire town, and "he was very impressed."

"He said, 'We should do a Legislative Sentiment," and I have done just that." said Havey.

Also appearing Monday for the presentation to Lyman was state Rep. Christine Burstein (D-Lincolnville).

Havey read the document, which said:

"Be it known to all that we, the Members of the Senate and House of Representatives, join in recognizing Lois Lyman of Lincolnville, for her many years of dedicated commitment to the Town of Lincolnville. Ms. Lyman has been involved with the creation, development, drafting and producing of land development and land management ordinances for the Town of Lincolnville for over 15 years. As a member of the Land Use Committee, and for many years its chairperson, she has been involved with the drafting of the Lincolnville Land Use Ordinance, Commercial Site Plan Ordinance, Home Occupation Ordinance, Telecommunications Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance. Her work to update and correct deficiencies in these ordinances was recently accepted at the recent Lincolnville Town Meeting. Ms. Lyman served as chairperson of the Lincolnville Comprehensive Plan Committee for over five years. She spent many personal and professional hours volunteering as a professional editor, writer and indexer for the town; as a result of her work, the Lincolnville Comprehensive Plan has been held up as a model by the State for small towns to follow in developing their plans. Ms. Lyman served on the Lincolnville Planning Board for over 14 years and served as its chairperson for the last six years. She is well respected for her knowledge in the area of land development regulation and her ability to navigate the difficult process of ordinance development for land use regulation purposes. We send her our appreciation for her commitment to her community and to the State and we send her our best wishes; And be it ordered that this official expression of sentiment be sent forthwith on behalf of the 127th Legislature and the people of the State of Maine."

Dated July 30, 2015 at the State Capitol in Augusta, it was signed by Thibodeau, Maine Speaker of the House Mark W. Eves, Secretary of the Senate Heather J.R. Priest and Clerk of the House Robert B. Hunt.

Following applause and a standing ovation by the Selectmen, town officials and audience members, Lyman said thank you and a few brief words.

"I take this opportunity to urge others to join town boards and committees, whatever area you are interested in, you can either keep the town how like it, or improve it. But you can't do it from without, you have to do it from within," said Lyman.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 207-706-6655.