MEXICO – Selectmen on Wednesday appointed the Planning Board chairman and a former selectman to an ad hoc committee searching for a new town manager.

Dan Casey, a longtime Planning Board member and now its chairman, and Betty Barrett, a former selectman and current SAD 43 board member, will join selectmen Monique Aniel, Reggie Arsenault, Arthur Bordeau, Barbara Laramee and Richard Philbrick in the search to replace Town Manager Joseph Derouche.

Derouche has been manager for 10 years. His resignation is effective Dec. 31.

Bordeau said an organizational meeting has not been set. Although the town wants to find a replacement before Derouche leaves, Bordeau said a backup plan is in place for the day-to-day operation of the town office.

David Errington, public works director and code enforcement officer, has also been serving as assistant to the town manager and would continue if a manager isn’t on board by the end of December.

Bordeau said he would also serve several hours a week at the town office.

The board is working on an updated job description for the town manager. Among the strengths the board wants to see in a new person is experienced financial management.

In a related matter, the board agreed to have Derouche train an in-house employee to deal with general assistance matters until his replacement is hired.