LEWISTON — City officials need a few more days before deciding who the next city administrator will be.

Human Resources Director Denis Jean said he plans to spend the days until the Dec. 1 City Council meeting performing due diligence on two potential candidates: acting City Administrator Phil Nadeau and Bangor Town Manager Ed Barrett.

Councilors interviewed the two candidates over three hours Wednesday night.

“The councilors were not ready to make a decision after that meeting, and they have some questions they want answered,” Jean said. He declined to discuss the questions councilors are currently asking.

He’ll plan to present his information to councilors at a Dec. 1 executive session.

“And then I think they’ll be pretty close to making a decision,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they decide something that night.”

Both men are hoping to replace Jim Bennett, who was fired by councilors in July. Councilors are hoping to hire a replacement before the end of the month.

Nadeau has a long history with the city, working as assistant administrator since 1999 and serving three times as acting
administrator, from April to November 2000, from November 2001 to March
2002, and from July this year to now.

Barrett has been in his post since 1988, assuming the job after leaving Wichita Falls, Texas. 

Jean said two other candidates, former Falmouth Town Manager John “Doug” Harris and former Gardiner City Manager Jeffrey Kobrock, are still in the running.

“Nothing is final until it’s final,” Jean said.

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