LEWISTON, Maine — In a dramatic reorganization of city leadership Tuesday night, the Lewiston City Council voted 6-1 to remove Councilor David Chittim as council president following weeks of controversy over his behind-the-scenes efforts to revisit the council’s decision to eliminate the city’s economic development director position.
Chittim cast the lone vote against his removal.
Moments later, the council unanimously elected Councilor Joshua Nagine to serve as council president for the remainder of the current term, which expires Jan. 4, 2027.
The discussion among councilors and public testimony centered on whether Chittim and Mayor Carl Sheline improperly worked behind the scenes to reverse a decision made by a majority of the council during this year’s budget process.
The controversy stems from the council’s vote earlier this year to eliminate funding for the economic development director position as part of balancing the city’s budget. Afterward, Chittim and Sheline explored possible ways to restore the position using other funding sources without first bringing the discussion before the full council.
Several councilors said the issue was not whether economic development is important, but whether the council president and mayor respected the will of the council majority.
Councilor Noble sharply criticized both Chittim and Sheline.
“What you, Mayor Sheline, and what David did was an insult to the council’s intelligence,” Noble said. “It was a breach of trust, it was a breakdown of our government system, and it was an unapproved use of taxpayer money.”
She added that every councilor’s vote carries equal weight.
“This is a democratic process, and nobody’s vote means more than anybody else’s vote up here,” Noble said.
Councilor Susan Longchamps praised Chittim’s intelligence and dedication but said leadership requires collaboration.
“There is no ‘I’ in team,” Longchamps said. “I just feel as though you’ve left that out a few times.”
Councilor Harriman said he voted against eliminating the economic development director position but respected the outcome once the council made its decision.
“I didn’t agree with the decision that the council made, but I respect it, and we need to move forward from that,” Harriman said. “The city administrator works for the council, not for the council president and the mayor. If a majority of the council makes a decision, then that is what administration is supposed to follow.”
Councilor Joshua Nagine said the controversy reflected broader communication problems that have affected the council for more than a year.
“We have a dysfunction within the council, and it’s been here for a while,” Nagine said. “A lot of it comes down to communication and respect for other councilors.”
Councilor Mike Roy rejected Chittim’s assertion that the budget vote occurred under duress, saying he had carefully considered his vote.
“The decision I made was not under duress,” Roy said. “When five people on this council decide something, it’s not up to one person to go behind everybody’s back. That is deceitful.”
Councilor Bret Martel, who introduced the order rescinding Chittim’s appointment as president, initially said he intended to outline numerous reasons for seeking his removal but changed course after receiving criticism from a prominent Lewiston business owner who suggested the effort was personal.
Martel rejected that characterization.
“It was a democratic process on this council that elected Councilor Chittim into this role, and it will be a democratic process if he is removed,” Martel said. “It will not be a crusade.”
Later in the discussion, Martel said Mayor Sheline also deserved criticism for participating in the effort.
“When staff is approached by the mayor and the city council president, they’re going to be inclined to do what they’re asked,” Martel said. “But when what you’re asking them to do is in direct conflict with what the council voted for, you’re putting our city staff and our administration in a very difficult position.”
Chittim Apologizes
During an emotional statement, Chittim apologized to his colleagues for failing to clearly explain his intentions but denied attempting to circumvent the council’s authority.
“My efforts behind the scenes were to try to line up the funding that would provide the council a second opportunity,” Chittim said.
He argued the decision to eliminate the economic development director position came late in the budget process under significant financial pressure and said he simply wanted the council to revisit the matter after additional funding options were identified.
“I was simply trying to do my homework and bring back to the council, without the pressure of time and money, the decision,” Chittim said.
He acknowledged he often works independently but insisted there was “never any double dealing or duplicity” and apologized for not making his intentions clear during the previous council meeting.
“I ask for your forgiveness for my lack of clear communication,” Chittim said. “In no way was I ever trying to undermine the council.”
Sheline Defends Chittim
Mayor Carl Sheline acknowledged that he knew about Chittim’s efforts and supported them.
“I absolutely knew about it, and I supported it,” Sheline said.
The mayor argued that finding outside funding for a position many councilors considered important should not have been controversial and said he did not believe the issue justified removing Chittim as president.
“I do not think that this rises to the level of removing the council president,” Sheline said.
6-1 Vote Removes Chittim
Following public comment and final debate, the council voted 6-1 to remove Chittim as council president.
Chittim cast the only vote against his removal.
Mayor Sheline thanked Chittim for his service before the council immediately moved to elect a new president.
Councilor Chrissy Noble nominated Josh Nagine. No other nominations were made.
Nagine said restoring communication and trust among councilors would be his top priority.
“I just think it’s important that we work together in order to move the city forward,” Nagine said.
Longchamps asked Nagine to keep councilors informed whenever he seeks legal advice or meets with the mayor and city administrator.
“That’s something we’ve all been asking for for about two years,” Nagine replied.
Martel said she had also planned to nominate Nagine despite their political differences.
“This position isn’t about left-right ideology,” Martel said. “It’s about executing the job of council president in a way that is informative and openly communicative.”
The council then voted unanimously to elect Nagine as council president through Jan. 4, 2027.
The leadership change comes as the council prepares to consider creating a charter commission to review and potentially rewrite portions of Lewiston’s city charter, a proposal Chittim introduced immediately after stepping down from the presidency.
