Photo courtesy of Maine Land Use Planning Commission

William K. Gilmore of Freeman Township (left) and Michael Theriault of Greenville took the oath of office in September as new commissioners for the Maine Land Use Planning Commission. As commission members, they will oversee planning, zoning and development in Maine’s 10.4 million acres of unorganized territory.

AUGUSTA, Maine – Two new commissioners have been sworn in as members of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission.

William K. Gilmore of Freeman Township and Michael Theriault ofGreenville took the oath of office last month as members of the Commission, known previously as the Land Use Regulation Commission. They begin their official duties immediately.

Gilmore, who will serve until July 2016, has been employed for the past 27 years with the town of Carrabassett Valley as its tax assessor, code enforcement officer and plumbing inspector. He also served as town manager for 10 of those years. He now is involved with the Franklin County Tax Increment Financing committee and has been active for many years in the growth and planning for Kingfield. He has lived his entire life in the western mountains of Maine.

Theriault, who also will serve until July 2016, has owned and operated his own business, Mike Theriault Construction LLC, since 1996. He has extensive experience in land procurement and development as a timberlands owner and manager. He has served on the Greenville Board of Selectmen and is an elected board member of the Greenville School Committee. He attended Unity College

The LUPC is a seven-member, independent board with members nominated by the governor to staggered, four-year terms.  In December, commission membership will expand to nine, with Aroostook and Piscataquis counties each having an opportunity to nominate an individual to serve on the commission. This will begin a four-year transition period after which the commission will consist of eight members nominated by each of the eight counties with the most acreage within the commission’s jurisdiction and one member nominated by the governor.

For more information on the Maine Land Use Planning Commission, go to http://www.maine.gov/doc/lupc/index.shtml.