Administrative Summit - 2026

SESSION 01    ---------------------------------

Why Communication is Harder Than It Looks

SPEAKER: David Ciullo, CEO, Career Management Associates

This training is designed to help professionals better understand why communication breakdowns occur in the workplace—and how to address them more effectively. Through practical discussion and real-world case studies, participants explore how assumptions, listening habits, perceptions, and communication channels shape how messages are received and interpreted. The session helps leaders recognize common patterns that lead to confusion, misalignment, and unnecessary escalation, while providing a framework for improving clarity, accountability, and follow-through in everyday interactions. Participants leave with greater awareness of their own communication habits and practical commitments they can apply immediately to strengthen trust, collaboration, and decision-making within their teams.

SESSION 02    ---------------------------------

After the Lien: Foreclosure, Ownership, & Property Disposition for Water & Sewer Districts

SPEAKER: Jonathan M. Dunitz, Counsel, Verrill Dana, LLP & Sampson Hamilton, Associate, Verrill Dana, LLP

This session picks up where "Lien On Us!" left off, focusing on what happens after a water or sewer district's lien forecloses and title transfers automatically to the district. Attendees will learn about the legal and practical realities of district property ownership — including responsibilities that come with taking title, options for selling or disposing of foreclosed property, and how recent constitutional developments (such as Tyler v. Hennepin County) affect how districts handle excess proceeds from property sales. The session will provide actionable guidance for administrators navigating post-foreclosure decisions, with an emphasis on risk management and compliance with evolving legal requirements. Upon completing this session, attendees will be able to:

• Review the water and sewer lien process 
• Understand how automatic foreclosure results in district ownership
• Identify the district's immediate post-foreclosure responsibilities 
• Describe the options for selling or disposing of foreclosed property 
• Recognize the constitutional limitations on retaining excess proceeds from property sales
• Apply best practices for post-foreclosure decision-making

SESSION 03    ---------------------------------

Every Interaction Matters: Building Trust Through Exceptional Customer Service

SPEAKERS: Gloria Williams, Customer Service Manager, Springfield Water and Sewer Commission

Our approach to helping customers is centered on providing personalized, professional, and high-quality service. Employees should be prepared to meet the needs of a variety of customers and handle a wide range of situations effectively. Learning Objectives include

• Be Available to a Variety of Customers for a Variety of Work
• Personalize the Conversation
• Relate to the Customer
• Finish Every Conversation in a Helpful Manner
• Provide Proper Employee Training
• Make Quality Calls a Top Priority
• Follow Up
• Conclusion - Our Approach to Helping Customers

SESSION 04    ---------------------------------

What Maine Employers Need to Know About New Legal Requirements for the Workplace

SPEAKERS: Peter Lowe, Lawyer, Brann & Isaacson

This workshop will address in practical terms what your utility should be doing to be in compliance with some important new Maine laws. We will cover the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave law, a new workplace surveillance law, new requirements for pay transparency and other workplace developments in 2026.