Windham chooses new assistant town manager

By Ed Pierce

The Town of Windham has announced that Robert Burns, Jr. has been selected as Windham’s first Assistant Town Manager.

The new position was funded in the 2021-2022 town budget approved by Windham residents at the annual town meeting in June.

According to Windham Town Manager Barry A. Tibbetts, Burns joins the town with a wide range of experience and knowledge that will be a huge asset to Windham.

Tibbetts said that Burns has more than 23 years of successful municipal leadership and project management experience, mostly as the Director of Public Works for the Town of Gorham. In that position, Burns managed more than $12 million in sewer, water, and public infrastructure development projects, as well as developing, implementing, and enforcing a Stormwater Management Program.

His experience in municipal budgeting and forecasting for long range projects will be put to good use as the Town of Windham moves forward with its numerous planning and development initiatives, Tibbetts said.

“Robert started his career as a civil engineer in the private sector and brings that skill set also,” he said. “In addition to his public and private sector experience, Robert has been involved with GPCOG, PACTS, EcoMaine and the Portland Water District, where he currently serves on the Board of Trustees.”

Tibbetts said town employees are eager to work with Burns.

“I along with staff very much look forward to having Bob on our team, he brings to our operation a great skill set to continue moving the town forward,” Tibbetts said. “I am also pleased with Bob’s experience in Gorham which had allowed him to make numerous connections in the quasi-municipal (PWD, GPCOG, Eco Maine) realm which will bring additional added value to the community.”

Burns worked for five years as a project engineer for ABB Environmental Services, Inc. of Maryland from 1993 to 1998 before joining Queen Anne’s County in Maryland as Chief Roads Engineer from 1998 to 2003. He then spent 18 years as the Public Works Director for the Town of Gorham from 2003 to this year.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maine in Forest Engineering in 1993 and is a professionally licensed civil engineer.

Burns will start his new duties with the Town of Windham on Dec. 6. <