PARIS — Former Town Manager Phil Tarr will receive $20,394 in severance pay, plus benefits, for the next six months, according to an agreement signed by selectmen this week.

Tarr's last day was Sept. 14. He and the board agreed on the contract weeks ago.

Tarr, who is in his early 70s and resides in Bridgton, was hired as town manager under a three-year contract that began Jan. 4, 2010. He was paid $57,000 the first year.

The contract would have been automatically renewed for two years at the end of this year, but selectmen voted in June to notify him they would not do so.

The 13 payments over 26 weeks will keep Tarr on the payroll and all his benefits will continue during that time, the agreement said. He'll also receive a lump-sum payment for his unused vacation time.

According to the document, Tarr agreed not to take legal action for damages or other relief against the town. The town agreed not to challenge his claim for unemployment compensation benefits, if he chooses to apply for them.

Tarr served as town manager in Bridgton from 1984 to 1990, in Bethel from 1997 to 1999, and in Skowhegan from 2005 to 2007. He also worked as the executive director and chairman of the Maine Harness Racing Commission from 1990 to 1995 and community manager at the Lake Arrowhead homeowners association in York County from 2001 to 2005.

Selectmen are in the process of interviewing candidates for town manager. In the interim, Town Clerk Elizabeth Knox is serving in the position.

treaves@sunjournal.com