Dennis Lajoie, retired as Norway’s town manager, is the recipient of Norway Downtown’s Andrea Burns Main Street Award. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat

NORWAY — Norway Downtown has recognized Dennis Lajoie, who recently retired as Norway’s town manager, with its second Andrea Burns Main Street Award.

The award was named after Burns, who was honored in 2022 as a major champion of Norway’s Main Street district for the last two decades.

Scott Berk, board president for the Norway Downtown organization, told the Advertiser Democrat that the award is based on merit and not intended to become an annual tradition.

“This is an award that Norway Downtown will present to people who have exhibited an extraordinary dedication to downtown Norway and our community,” Berk said. “That dedication can be manifested in a lot of different ways, whether it is volunteering one’s time, supporting the organization, focusing on business development, or Main Street beautification, or championing historic preservation.”

During Lajoie’s tenure as Norway’s lead administrator Norway was named as one of Maine’s 10 best small town downtowns by Downeast magazine.

Lajoie oversaw completion of the Rail Trail between Norway and Paris, a project that initiated back in the mid-1990s but had never been effectively executed. The walking path, built along an old railroad bed, connects Norway Downtown to the Gouin Athletic Complex on Alpine Street in South Paris.

“Dennis has set an awfully high bar” for his eventual successor, Berk said.

One skill that may set Lajoie apart from other organizational leaders is his ability to listen. Building consensus on taxpayer funded initiatives that pleases business owners, community advocates and residents is no easy feat.

Among the infrastructure projects in Norway Lajoie directed were upgrades to the town’s municipal headquarters and the $3.3 million construction of a town garage on Brown Street.

Through collaboration with the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy he also brought sustainable and money-saving energy programs, like replacing Norway’s streetlights with LED lamps and installing public EV car charging stations.

Norway has logged enough successful community and business development programs that officials from Augusta have come calling at times for insight, like when officials with the Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation & the Future convened a round table session with Norway, CEBE and state representatives last summer.

More recently, Lajoie initiated a planning partnership initiative with the Maine Department of Transportation to further enhance Norway’s retail district. The aims of the MDOT project are to improve ADA compliances, improve traffic coming into the downtown including bike lanes, and add other downtown development projects.

Even though he has officially retired, Lajoie will continue guiding the DOT program through as project manager.

According to Lajoie, executing progressive, economic programs where all parties feel represented is not a trade secret. He also credits his predecessor David Holt with leaving him a strong blueprint to follow.

He advises municipal leaders to “be a collaborate leader and listen to everyone.”

“I actually tried very hard to follow in the footsteps of the former Town Manager David Holt,” Lajoie said. “David did great work for the Norway and had some projects that he started on …. my role was understanding the culture of Norway and moving the ball forward on a number of projects.”

Burns, who for years led Norway Downtown’s board of directors and continues as its senior advisor, said Lajoie has been a great partner to the organization.

“Dennis embraced our mission,” she told the Advertiser Democrat. “As the town’s representative, he has always offered support when it benefits Norway’s historic, aesthetic and business character.”

As town manager, Lajoie took the time to meet with community organizations and review their plans for the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

“It can be a risk for a town to include [things like] preservation easements when putting money into the community,” Burns said. “But the economic returns here in Norway are proven. He understands that and has taken a comprehensive approach that has helped make Norway the success it is.”

Lajoie is regarded as leaving Norway possibly better than when he came to it, but he feels the best is yet to come.

“I believe the town of Norway has a tremendous staff, and a very dedicated and engaged selectboard. The citizens of Norway are very lucky to have all of them.”