Woolwich residents consider Lynette Eastman one of their own. They gathered Monday evening at the town office to wish her the very best following 21 years of service to the community.

Eastman, of Pittston, has served the last 10 years as Woolwich’s town administrator and before that was its tax collector. Her retirement was announced in May at the annual town meeting when residents rewarded her for her service with a warm round of applause.

“We’re really going to miss her and the knowledge she has of town government. It’s truly been a pleasure working with her over the years,” said Select Board Chairman David King. Other select board members both past and present shared King’s sentiments.

“She and I had a fine working relationship,” former selectman and town administrator Lloyd Coombs told the Wiscasset Newspaper. “Lynette knows all the workings of town government and I often relied on her judgment.”

Coombs retired from Woolwich town government last December. “I wish Lynette all the best. She’s earned her retirement and I think the town’s in excellent shape financially in large part due to her administrative abilities.”

Eastman began her Woolwich career in 1996 as tax collector and treasurer. She became town administrator in April 2007.

“I sometimes wonder where all the years have gone,” she said. “There’s been so many changes here since I first arrived. One of the biggest was the wonderful new addition to the municipal building and later the addition of the town clock. We also closed the old landfill and started curbside trash and recycling pickup. And there was also the fish ladder restoration, and the construction of Nequasset Park where people can swim, launch their boat or enjoy a picnic, Woolwich Day and so many other positive things,” she added.

“I’m really very proud of what the Woolwich community has accomplished since I came here and gratified for the small part I contributed.”

Selectman Allison Hepler called Eastman an excellent role model. “I'll miss her deep knowledge of everything that goes on in town government,” she said.

Eastman expects to be busier than ever after she retires. Her last day is Friday, June 30. “There’s my 88-year-old mother in Waterville to visit and my nine grandchildren to enjoy,” she said.

Her to do list includes a long-planned summer vacation with husband George to Prince Edward Island where they plan to enjoy some bicycling. For the sixth year in a row, the Eastmans took part in the Kennebunk Tour de Cure in York County, a bicycle trek to benefit diabetes research for the American Diabetes Association.

Eastman said she won’t miss her daily commute from Pittston but as she wrote in this year’s annual town report, “I will miss the day-to-day contact with the wonderful people of Woolwich. Without a doubt I will be here for Woolwich Day, the Tree Lighting/Yule Sing and other special events that happen in Woolwich. The town has become as much a part of me and my life over the last 21 years as Pittston. You have a wonderful community and I hope to remain a part of Woolwich in a small way.”

Suzette Cloutier was hired as town administrator. For the past year, Cloutier has served as tax collector.