Bowdoinham Town Manager William Post will start a new job as town manager in Rockport Aug. 1 after eight years in his current role. (Darcie Moore / The Times Record)
BOWDOINHAM — After eight years running the Bowdoinham, Town Manager William Post will be leaving next month to do the same job for Rockport.
Post said he accepted a contract with Rockport Monday night. His last day in Bowdoinham is July 18, and he will start his new job in Rockport on Aug. 1.
“I see it as a good career move for me,” Post said Tuesday.
“I enjoy being here and it’s nothing about the town or anything like that,” he said. “All the boards I’ve had have been very supportive and we’ve done some really good things in the community.”
Post said Rockland is a well-run town with a larger budget and more staff, though a similar population as Bowdoinham, he said.
It’s also closer to his home in Waldoboro and will cut his commute in half.
Prior to his eight years in Bowdoinham, Post had served as town manager in Waldoboro, an administrator in Knox County, and was a town manager in Damariscotta and Bradley. He’s worked as a town or county manager for approximately 24 years.
During the past eight years, Post said he helped create and update policies, rebuild roads, replace fire trucks and public works trucks and equipment, build the town’s undesignated fund balance to a healthy level, and saw the town’s work on its age-friendly initiative receive state and regional recognition. The town was New England’s first World Health Organization-designated age-friendly community.
The town also has a new public works facility very near finished, “and that’s just such a huge upgrade,” he said.
Equipment can now be washed and kept undercover year-round, which will help protect the town’s investment, Post said.
When he first began looking at a new public works facility, the town faced losing its workers’ compensation insurance because of the condition of the aged existing public works site at 8 River Road along the Cathance River. That property can now be redeveloped as a community recreation space if a concept plan is approved by voters tonight.
The town also is seeking a ConnectME grant to have Lincolnville Communications Inc. install high-speed fiber-optic broadband lines to the premise of an estimated 225 homes or businesses currently underserved.
Kenneth McKinley, chairman of the Rockport Board of Selectman, said Tuesday that the board valued the depth of experience Post will bring to their town, as well as his long tenure in Bowdoinham and other communities he’s served.
“We were impressed when we interviewed him and his qualifications look good and we’re very happy he’s decided to come to Rockport,” he said.
McKinely said Post was chosen from a large pool of applicants. Rockport’s current town manager, Rick Bates, is retiring after six years with the town and will continue on for an additional year as a consultant.
“The board is very pleased to have a smooth transition,” he said.
Likewise, Post said he will be available to help with the transition of a new town manager for Bowdoinham. He told Bowdoinham selectmen Tuesday they should have some excellent candidates to take his place.
“I think it’s a good time for me to transition to another community,” Post told the Board at its meeting on Tuesday night.
The five-member board unanimously approved Post’s resignation. Selectmen also voted to act as the search committee to fill the position. They expect to receive applications until July 12.
Selectman Jeremy Cluchey argued for finding a way to involve the public in the process. Post suggested selectmen consider asking residents what they want to see in a town manager but warned against having the public participate in the screening process itself. That can limit the candidate pool since many potential candidates prefer a confidential hiring process.
“I will anticipate you will get 20 to 25 applicants,” he said. “It’s obviously a very specific skill set.”
Post said the town has much to offer the next manager, making it a desirable position.
Bowdoinham selectman chair Tony Lewis told The Times Record the board is disappointed it will be losing Post.
“Bill has been a great asset for the town and helped us turn the town around financially and has done very well with our annual budget and just the planning,” he said. “It’s going to be a big loss for us with the experience and knowledge that he brings to the town. But we’re excited for the opportunity this brings for Bill personally and professionally.”
The town will do its best to draw another qualified town manager, he said.
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