GREENE – Come Jan. 3, Town Manager Stephen Eldridge will leave his driveway much like he has done on most work days. But instead of making his way toward the Greene municipal office, he will drive to Rumford, where he was recently appointed town manager.

With the final bang of the gavel at Monday night’s selectmen’s meeting, the town honored and roasted Eldridge, with townspeople saying he has been a true asset to the town and that they will be sad to see him go.

During a reception at the Volunteer Fire Station, more than 50 townspeople applauded him for his attention to detail and strong work ethic. Selectmen presented him a plaque engraved with the words “You made a difference.”

Selectman Timothy Doyle said Eldridge will be greatly missed, and told him that if he changes his mind, there was still time to return the plaque.

“He is a top-dollar guy and deserves every penny,” Doyle said. “Greene’s loss is surely Rumford’s gain.”

Kimbell Dunton of Maine Poly Acquisition Corp. said the company currently employees 40 people due in part to the effort Eldridge put forth in assisting the local company. “In 1991, Maine Poly was as dead as a doornail,” Dunton said. “With all the work he did, he should have been on our payroll; we owe everything to him.”

Elmer Berry of the Androscoggin County Commission presented Eldridge with a plaque recognizing his work as town manager. Berry also wished him the best in his future endeavors.

Eldridge said he enjoyed coming to work every day and said that most of what he accomplished was due in part to the office staff and selectmen, who did not restrict him with his plans.

“This town has a passion like I have not seen before,” Eldridge has said in the past. “That is what makes it so hard for me to leave.”

To help prepare for the town meeting in March, Eldridge said he would be on call to the town and assist them until a replacement has been named. The search committee announced that it currently has 16 applications for the town manager position and is hoping to have it filled by mid-February.