Henrys, Shorey Honored at Annual Town Meeting

PENOBSCOT—It took residents of Penobscot three hours to pass 58 municipal and 20 school warrant items during the annual town meeting March 7, but the highlight of the event was not passing a $1,837,212 school budget or approving $23,700 for the first payment of the new fire truck loan.

- Monique Labbe

The highlight came by way of State House Representative Karl Ward, who presented Jim and Pat Henry, former longtime owners of Northern Bay Market, and Stanley Shorey, a selectman stepping down after 25 years, with official sentiments from the state house.

“Jim and Pat Henry turned their store into the nerve center of this town,” said Ward. “In many ways, they are the pulse here.”

Of Shorey, Ward noted that “no matter how you cut it, 25 years is a long time.” “[Shorey] can do just about anything, and fix about anything,” Ward added. “Every town has a proverbial jack of all trades, and Stanley is ours.”

The presentations were surprises for all recipients, who thanked the townspeople after receiving standing ovations.

After the presentations, moderator Sherman Hutchins began the business meeting portion of the night. The first 15 articles were approved without much delay, but article 15, to raise funds for Eastern Area Agency on Aging, stirred some chatter.