RANGELEY – Rangeley’s town manager submitted his resignation Tuesday evening, announcing that he will end his six and half year tenure as of Dec. 31.

When William E. Lundrigan was hired in the summer of 1997 he was the fifth town manager since 1991.

“I’ve enjoyed my work but it’s time for me to look elsewhere,” the town manager said Wednesday afternoon by phone. He said he’s been trying to get out of his contract for some time. The contract was to expire next year.

Lundrigan announced his resignation in an executive session with selectmen.

He said he and an attorney negotiated a separation agreement with selectmen that he thinks is “a good deal.”

He will receive his full salary and benefits through June 30 of next year. The town will also pay the cost of attorney fees racked up during the negotiation of the agreement.

Selectmen also gave him a recommendation that said he was good at bringing people with different opinions to agreement.

Lundrigan was financial director for the city of Auburn, leaving in 1994 after some controversy. He admits his stretch in Rangeley hasn’t always been easy.

In 2001, former Police Chief Dwight Fuller filed a lawsuit against the town, saying Lundrigan made employment so difficult he could no longer work there. In the end, the suit was settled with the town paying Fuller $1,000 for attorney fees and damages.

In September, the highway foreman, Everett Quimby, claimed Lundrigan had assaulted him at the town office, a charge that the district attorney’s office chose not to prosecute.

“Rangeley is a complex community and it’s a place where things happen. I’ve had to spend a lot of time and energy dealing with the differences and it eventually takes its toll on a person,” he said.

“It hasn’t always been easy,” Lundrigan admitted. “It’s demanding, sometimes it’s frustrating but at times, it can be very rewarding. A lot of things I’ve done here have been rewarding. I think the delivery of the services to taxpayers and the community has improved substantially since I’ve been here.”

Among the efforts Lundrigan said he is most proud of is that “fair and equitable” contracts have been negotiated for town employees and as a result, a strong staff is in place. He also cited improvements at the airport as a proud point.

Lundrigan said he believes that Rangeley, a town of about 5,000, is a better place now than it was when he arrived.

“There’s no doubt that the economy is really thriving up here. The situation is New York has generated a desire for people to be in a rural location like Rangeley,” he said, making reference to an influx of people moving from metropolitan areas into the community over the past two years.

Despite the complexities and the controversies, Lundrigan said the decision to leave was a tough one. Even now, with two weeks to go, he said he still doesn’t know if it’s the right one.

“It was a hard decision,” he said. “I am really going to miss it. I don’t know how you could leave here without good thoughts. It’s a wonderful community with wonderful people who, although they may disagree with you, are accepting and forgiving.

Who will follow Lundrigan isn’t known. Calls to several selectmen were not returned Wednesday evening.

Since becoming town manager in 1997, Lundrigan and his wife have been renting a home in Rangeley. Not old enough to retire, he plans to take a break before looking for another position. He said he hopes to stay in municipal government, though he has no leads on where he will be heading.

“I want to stay in the municipal arena,” he said. “I find it the most rewarding because you have the most direct contact with your public. You can effect change. You have a direct effect on making a positive effect on people’s lives, and I feel that I’ve done that in Rangeley.”

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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