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Gene Wayne Francis
Superintendent, Passamaquoddy WWTF at Pleasant Point
Member
Profile: Maine Wastewater Control Association
Gene, a Passamaquoddy Tribal member and very proud of his
heritage, grew up mostly at Pleasant Point. Attended high school down the
Portland area, Yarmouth Academy 1972 and 1973 went on to attend woodland High
his junior year and his graduation year attended Shead Memorial High. In 1979
and 1981 attended schooling at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute for
one year taking up Wastewater Chemistry Technology, now known as Southern Maine
Community College and after completing the full one year he went on a year later
and attended Easter Maine Vocational Technical Institute taking up Advance
Wastewater Treatment for one year.
The beginning of Gene’s career in the wastewater profession
which started back in 1977 to present 2004, twenty-seven years ago. Gene states
that he has seen a lot of changes some bad but most of them positive and he
stated he likes to focus on the positive not so much the negative stuff. He goes
on stating things what has changed since the mid 70’s to present, the profession
in whole has really gotten complex and things need to be done exactly how they
are written and policies followed along with procedures, everything has to be in
order. Reporting, more record keeping, computers are another issue. Back in the
day we did not think they would be a big part of our work. But I guess I have to
think again. Gene writes all his grants, ordinances, proposals, and contract
agreements. Gene has also been writing his policies and procedures and assisting
other. Gene has been a utility consultant in the past for several years but it
was taking too much of his time from his other duties but is available to assist
anybody who needs assistance. Gene goes on stating that we all need to stay
together and focus together in order to survive this profession with all the
changes coming down the pipe, God only knows what the regulatory agencies have
in store for us.
One of Gene’s biggest controversies he faced was the issue
that pertained to the Tribe and the Department of Environmental Protection
Agency which was awarded full delegation pertaining to the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit in the state of Maine with the
exception of Tribal territory. The DEP contested the matter and we all went to
court but before that all transpired we had to attend several debates and public
hearings before it actually went to court but at the end it again was awarded to
the Tribes but DEP is not satisfied so they are contesting and once again the
issue is in the hands of the Attorney General. Gene stated I guess the state of
Maine does not want to recognize us as a sovereign tribe and goes on stating
that the state of Maine always wants to use the 1980 Settlement Act against us.
The thing that I don’t understand, any time when monies is discussed the state
always brings the fact that we have a relationship with the Federal Government
not the state of Maine so they us the document if they think it best serves
them. I just hope we all can still work together and live in harmony.
Gene has received numerous awards throughout his career and
credits his achievements to his employees and family. It takes a good competent
staff for one to achieve their goals. I look at operating and managing a plant
is like being the captain of a ship, you have to take charge at times, take full
control and responsibilities of ones action. I have two other staff members at
the plant. Sabattus “Sappy” Lewey, who has been at the plant for several years
and is in charge of the maintenance, and also is the aide to me while I’m gone
and is competent in what he does and that is a big relief off my shoulders. The
other staff person Darren Paul is the Water Technician and over sees the water
treatment side of things, he has just started a couple of years ago and also
assists when needed for other duties. Please keep in mind this is a very small
staff that over sees the operation of the wastewater treatment but also the
water side of things along with that is the collection system and thirteen lift
stations. I have been a member of the Maine Wastewater Control Association since
I started my career along with that organization is the Maine Rural Water
Association, member of the American Water Works Association, Water Environmental
Federation NEWEA, WEF and the Native American Water Association.
Gene is license in the wastewater profession with a Grade
III and Grade II in the Collection System Operation, Class II in Water Treatment
& Water Distribution System and Lab Management Certification.
When asked about challenges that he has faced, Gene stated
every day is a challenge you face obstacles everyday when it comes to this
profession, its what you do with it. Some days are just a little more difficult
than others. But stated, he was most proud of the fact that he has continuously
been able to look ahead and set goals and see them through and actually become
reality, “I then sit back and smile”. When asked what was his biggest
accomplishments he stated one of the biggest ones was the new treatment plant
which cost 4.5/M and all the funding was solicited by him. And another one was
replacing the water system which was consisted of AC pipe, black iron, PVC and
galvanized pipe along with that was the stand pipe which was made up of wood and
boy, you could taste the wood, we was always on a boil water order, I just got
tied of it. He was told it could never happen, replacing the whole system within
ten years, my goal was to replace the pipe with all Ductile Iron pipe Class 52
within ten years and I did it within a shorter period! Along with that was a new
Aquastore Tank. When I see things like that go I have a good sense that I have
done something worthy for the people of Sipayik, Pleasant Point. As you can see
Gene loves challenges. Gene also stated that he served on the Tribal council for
four years and stated that was a challenge but very interesting. I enjoyed being
on council and the fact knowing I was trying to accomplish what I set out to do,
providing a service for the people of Sipayik, Pleasant Point. He has been
active on several committees and back in 1996 Gene attended the University of
Maine at Machias for one year, he majored in Business Management. He stated to
better himself and understand the role of what he was getting into while he was
serving on council. In 2002 Gene signed up for couple more classes pertaining to
Business Management. Gene’s goal is to achieve his degree in Business Management
or Administration and to achieve his Grade V license in the wastewater
profession.
In his spare time, Gene loves the out doors. He owns a camp
at Springfield Maine, he states it’s a long ride but I got to enjoy looking at
the scenery. He enjoys hunting and fishing, spending time with his dog chip (his
best friend), collecting guns- hand and rifles also collects old coins. Gene is
a active member of the National rifle Association and Northern Hunting Club.
Working with wood, building different things. He also enjoys riding his 1985
Grand National T-Type sports car. Gene stated he also enjoys riding his
four-wheeler with his wife, Bernadette for the past 30 years. Gene also has
three sons and one daughter, three grandsons and one granddaughter. They all
usually get together on July 4th and August during Indian day
festival.
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