SABATTUS — A year ago, Andrew Gilmore says he would have passed, and a year ago, the town wasn’t looking.

A lot can change in 12 months.

Selectmen unanimously voted to hire Gilmore as the new, full-time town manager Tuesday night. He’s been part-time assistant town manager and director of development for the last 18 months alongside part-time Town Manager Rick Bates. Both came to Sabattus through a New Hampshire company that contracts out management services.

“I’ve fallen for the town,” Gilmore, 40, said Wednesday. “It was just the right time.”

Ronda Fournier, chair of the Board of Selectmen, said residents “spoke loud and clear” at town meeting last spring: They wanted a full-time manager again.

When Sabattus’ town manager left abruptly in September 2009, selectmen hired interim manager Jim Bennett, who launched a wide search for a full-time replacement. Despite dozens of applicants, the town decided none were the right fit and contracted with Municipal Resources Inc. instead.

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The contract with MRI cost $90,000 a year. Fournier said the search committee reconvened this summer, interviewed Gilmore and told selectmen they didn’t need to look any further.

Gilmore was hired under a two-year contract for $70,000 annually plus benefits. His first day is Sept. 19.

He was town manager in Wiscasset from 2004 to 2007 and has had his own consulting firm, ABG Strategies, since. Gilmore lives in Yarmouth with his wife and four children, including 6-week-old twin boys. He’ll stay in Yarmouth and make the commute.

Gilmore said he’s been impressed working with selectmen, staff and community members who “just care so much about the future of Sabattus.”

His top three priorities: Increasing the tax base, with growth in the village and turnpike areas; watching the budget and finances; and making sure staff is up to date in training and equipment.

“I really believe (the former Webster mill) is an anchor property of village revitalization in the downtown,” he said.

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He’ll also meet with selectmen quarterly to talk job performance and goals.

“That’s something we all agreed to immediately,” Gilmore said. “In this rapidly changing environment, an annual check-in just isn’t good.”

He said he’s excited to start. “It’s full-steam ahead in being as creative and aggressive as we can in growing.”

Bates said he will likely get another placement through MCI. He said he was able to help define the town manager’s job, as well as the roles of department heads, and keep the budget in check.

“They had an 18-month test drive (with Gilmore), so to speak. He knows the town, knows the players and he’s a very talented and capable young man,” Bates said. “One of my jobs is to advise the town, ‘This is a good deal for you.’”

kskelton@sunjournal.com


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