AUBURN - As fire chief, Michael Quill orchestrated the department from behind the scenes. As a mayoral candidate, he became vocal about a new direction for the city and pushed teamwork.

But Auburn residents will have to wait until the first of the year to discover what kind of mayor he will be.

Quill worked for the Auburn Fire Department for more than three decades, the last 11 years as chief. He announced his plans to retire in May 2006 as the city's tumultuous budget process began, one that had city leaders criticizing the amount of overtime paid to firefighters under Quill's command.

Since kicking off his campaign for mayor, his, and his family's life got busier. They always had an event, or a meeting, or somewhere to be. Quill enjoyed it for the most part, he said. Near the election, he and his volunteers began to get tired and on edge.

The father of two considered running for councilor last year, around Christmas. Later, after consulting with his uncles, he decided to throw his name out to the Democratic Party. However, Quill backed off after he discovered the party had two other candidates already in mind.

Later, party leaders approached him to ask him to run, this time for mayor.

This started the process all over. The former Marine spoke to his wife and children; weighed the pros and cons.

“I had to make the final decision, but I wanted everybody's input,” Quill said.

After winning the party's endorsement and a primary race, his campaign, and its workers picked up steam. He credits that preliminary round for helping to get his name and his goals out there.

Life hasn't changed much for Quill yet, but he sees it getting busier and more stressful as January approaches. Meetings with elected representatives and city manager Mark Palesh have started or are in the works.

“It will be more hectic but we're were aware of that going in,” said the Vietnam War veteran.

Retirement lasted only a year and a half for Quill. During that time, he continued his love for do-it-yourself projects. He and various family members have remodels their Lansing Street home, with an American flag waving off of the porch.

Family, in fact, is important to Quill. Besides his wife, his children and their spouses, and one grandson, he has 70 first cousins and eight brothers and sisters.

In 1974, Quill made good on his vow to marry Joanie, a promise he told his friends after he saw her in bar. Later, when he asked for her phone number, and she told him to look it up in a phone book. Months later, they ran into each other at a wedding and began dating.

He doesn't know what the future has in store for him. Despite his family's questions about if a career in politics is next, Quill just want to take it one step at a time.

“Let's get through the first year or two and then we'll see,” Quill said.

James Dacey, former member of the city power agency, will assist Quill through the transition to mayor.

Also, Quill is confident current mayor Timothy Lattimore will be a source of advice if Quill really needs it.

“The betterment of Auburn is in his heart and soul,” Quill said about the outgoing mayor he will soon replace.

Lattimore congratulated Quill when the totals became official, telling him the seat is a hard one at times.

Quill knows the title of city mayor can sometimes serve as “a dart board.” As fire chief, he has gotten a glimpse of this tendency of residents and officials to vent frustrations on the one presumed to be in charge.

Quill's years of service with the city has posed him for a quicker introduction, as he is familiar with many employees and department's basic operations.

“I really sold myself on the fact that I can hit the ground running,” Quill said.

Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net

Step by step

Following are a list of Quill's top five priorities when he takes his seat as Auburn's mayor.

€ Instill teamwork with the council and city departments.

€ Go after owed back taxes

€ Revive the city's Human Rights office

- Retrieving money owed for water and sewer services