GORHAM – The Gorham Town Council Tuesday elected Philip Gagnon as its chairman and Michael Phinney vice chairman as the board reorganized following last week’s municipal election.

The two will serve in their leadership roles for a year.

During its regular meeting at 7 p.m., Town Clerk Connie Loughran administered the oath of office to newly elected councilors Sherrie Benner and Shonn Moulton, a former councilor.

Benner and Moulton replace two councilors – Brenda Caldwell, who was chairwoman, and Matt Mattingly – both whom did not seek re-election.

Mattingly was unsuccessful last week in a bid for a legislative seat.

“I challenge you to put aside personal issues and to work for the betterment of our wonderful town of Gorham,” Caldwell said in a parting message, referencing this past year’s bickering and unrest among council members.

“We have a great town here and it and its citizens deserve the best,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell, who was Gorham town clerk for 29 years, left the council after serving two terms.

“The past six years have certainly been interesting,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell praised Town Manager David Cole, Loughran and the municipal staff as the best in Maine.

The Town Council formally elected Gagnon, who stepped up from vice chairman, and Phinney, a former chairman, during its regular meeting after it met informally in a conference room to reshuffle leadership roles.

In a 6:30 p.m. meeting open to the public, Benner and Moulton met with other councilors to chose the council leaders and decide committee assignments. In a secret ballot poll for chairman, Gagnon, who was nominated by Town Councilor John Pressey, defeated Phinney, nominated by Town Councilor Matthew Robinson, 4-3.

Gagnon last summer, citing family reasons, had announced his resignation from the council, effective Nov. 6. He later retracted it.

For vice chairman, the councilors in a 5-2 vote chose Phinney, nominated by Robinson, over Pressey, nominated by Gagnon.

The councilors also filled committees for finance, ordinance, economic development/capital improvements, and appointments/personnel.

Finance Committee members are Suzanne Phillips, Moulton, and Pressey; Ordinance Committee, Robinson, Phinney and Pressey; Economic Development/Capital Improvements Committee, Robinson Phinney and Benner; Appointments/Personnel Committee, Benner Phillips and Moulton; Greater Portland Council of Governments representative, Pressey; Ecomaine representative, Town Manager David Cole; and Jetport Noise Abatement Committee, Gagnon.

As a former councilor and now citizen, Caldwell will remain on the council’s Public Safety Building Committee of which she is chairwoman.

Following Tuesday’s meeting, Caldwell said that she anticipates and looks forward to continuing as its chairwoman.

The council will have three terms expiring in 2013. The terms are those of Robinson, Pressey and Gagnon.

Gorham Town Clerk Connie Loughran, left, on Tuesday swears in Shonn Moulton and Sherrie Benner, newly elected town councilors.    
Outgoing Gorham town councilors Matt Mattingly and Brenda Caldwell receive plaques Tuesday for their service from Town Council Chairman Philip Gagnon. Mattingly and Caldwell, previous chairwoman, did not seek re-election last week.