LIVERMORE FALLS - Three towns near Presque Isle have hired local Town Manager Martin Puckett to manage matters for their combined population of 2,800.

Puckett was one of 19 candidates to seek the manager's position for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill, search committee Chairman David Cambridge said Tuesday.

The towns have an interlocal agreement to share services, said Cambridge, chairman of the Chapman Board of Selectmen. The search committee, made up of a board chairman from each town, interviewed four candidates for the position.

Cambridge said Puckett was chosen for his experience and enthusiasm.

"We felt he was the best-suited applicant."

Puckett and the boards agreed to a three-year contract but Cambridge declined to disclose the salary.

Current town manager of the three towns, John Edgecomb, is retiring.

Edgecomb said each town has its own board of selectmen and there is a joint board with 13 members.

Puckett has served as town manager of Livermore Falls since January 2006. His resignation is effective Sept. 26.