Durham’s first-ever town manager, Kathy Tombarelli, resigned Wednesday. C. Thacher Carter / The Times Record
Durham’s first town manager resigned Tuesday after nine months on the job.
Kathy Tombarelli’s resignation will be effective on March 15.
In a statement, Tombarelli said that while she is humbled to have been selected for the position, she has become increasingly aware that she is not the right fit for the role in Durham.
“I recognized when I accepted the position that it included both financial administration and human resources, but I did not anticipate how much time would be needed in other areas,” Tombarelli said. “Additionally, I have unforeseen family responsibilities that I have both a commitment and desire to fulfill.”
Tombarelli continued: “I would be remiss not to thank the staff and the select board for their support. Durham Fire Rescue and the public works department are in good hands with the current fire chief and road commissioner. I cannot say enough about both departments’ staff and their dedication. Additionally, the town office staff are a pleasure to work with and committed to doing their jobs well. The new staff have risen to the occasion, and I wish only the best for the town of Durham as they seek the right person for this position.”
In a joint statement Wednesday evening, the select board said that they wished her well.
“Being a town’s first town manager brings many challenges,” the select board wrote. “Kathy met these challenges head-on, including hiring a new treasurer, a new town clerk and a new fire chief. We are fortunate to have such a strong staff in place to help manage through the upcoming transition to a new town manager.”
In May 2021, The Times Record reported that Tombarelli started the job after being appointed by the select board in April. In November 2020, residents voted to allow the select board to appoint a manager at a town meeting.
The select board will discuss the process for hiring a new town manager at a meeting on Tuesday.
“There’s no question that the town manager position is needed,” said Durham Select Board Chairperson Kevin Nadeau on Wednesday.
Nadeau said the board will likely consider hiring an interim town manager, noting that the Maine Municipal Association keeps a list of mostly retired former managers that the town may look at.
According to the US Census, Durham’s population increased from 3,852 people in 2010 to 3,993 in 2019. Durham had a larger population shift in the last century, when it grew from 1,280 in 1970 to 3,500 by 1997, according to the town website.
In May 2021, Nadeau told The Times Record that the town manager position was a significant step forward for the town, especially from a human resources perspective, as more full-time employees come aboard.
The select board unanimously voted to hire Tombarelli in 5-0 vote in April 2021. She was selected out of an applicant pool of about 40.
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