Eastport City Manager Elaine Abbott is maintaining her position with the city after having given an unofficial notice of resignation to the council after the contentious July 8 city council meeting. The public heard the news at the end of a special council meeting held on July 16. Abbott told those people who remained to hear any actions taken after an executive session on personnel matters, "It meant a lot to me to see so many friendly and supportive faces." The city manager noted that over the past week the outpouring of support in the form of e-mails, conversations and other gestures has been overwhelming. "I listen loud and clear to the people I work for," she said, adding, "I'm staying for you guys."
     Before the July 16 special meeting began, council President Mary Repole told the packed room, "I let the last meeting get out of hand, and I won't let that happen again." She then listed a set of council meeting rules that will be followed, including: side conversations must be conducted outside the meeting room; speakers, including councillors, need to raise their hands and be recognized before speaking, with only one speaker allowed at a time; and the police will be present to conduct those who raise their voices off the premises. "It's important that we show respect," she explained.
     The first order of business was to act on the sanction of Councillor Mike Cummings. A public hearing on the sanction was held at the July 8 council meeting, but no motion or action was taken at the time. Councillor Colleen Dana‑Cummings, sister‑in‑law to Cummings, did not take her place at the council table but instead elected to be an audience member during the proceedings. Councillor Gilbert Murphy made the motion that the sanction of Cummings "stays." He read the sanction, which includes the following parameters: "Councillor Cummings shall be limited to going to city hall to when he has personal business or when he has official council business, such as signing warrants, and shall leave forthwith after completing his business. Councillor Cummings shall make appointments with city manager or staff to do his business." Councillor Rocky Archer provided the second, and the motion was approved by a 3B0 vote.
     At the end of the first part of the meeting before going into executive session, the council was greeted with approving applause by the standing‑room-only audience. While Cummings and the majority of the public then left, about 15 people remained and waited for the results of the executive session, chatting amiably in the hallway for about 30 minutes.

City manager’s contract
       The city manager's contract was not changed or modified during the executive session, which was held for the sole purpose of the city manager's evaluation at the end of her six‑month probationary period. As of July 1, the manager received a raise from her starting salary of $52,000 per year to $58,000. The contract stipulates, "Each January 1 thereafter, the salary shall increase 3%. In addition, the city manager: participates in an employee retirement plan; is allowed certain reimbursements; receives fully paid family health insurance including dental for just the manager; paid vacation, sick time and other benefits accorded to city staff; and paid training and professional memberships."