NEW GLOUCESTER – Selectmen on Monday introduced former Budget Committee member Sumner M. Field III of Gray as the new town manager.

He begins his first stint as a manager Dec. 8 at a salary of $65,000 and will not be required to live in town as others have been.

Field moved to New Gloucester 21 years ago and served on the budget panel and Capital Improvement Planning Committee. He worked for Casco Bank for 23 years, then TD Banknorth and more recently for the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices.

He and his wife Diane live in Gray and own property in New Gloucester. They are the parents of Justin, Zachary and Caitlin.

Maine Municipal Association assisted in the search for a manager. Field was among 75 applicants.

In other business, the board approved having all town facilities open Dec. 26, rather than closing them and staff using a personal or vacation day. The board said employees who want the day after Christmas off should make a request to the town manager.

An agreement to allow the New Gloucester Historical Society to use town land at the municipal complex to erect a history barn is being developed by Selectman Steve Libby, society member Steve Chandler and town attorney Pat Scully of Portland. Libby said he hopes to have final documents by the Dec. 8 board meeting then go to a special town meeting in January for approval.