AUBURN — Councilors made it official Monday night, voting 6-1 to hire Clinton Deschene as their new city manager.

Deschene, who drove down to Auburn to attend the City Council meeting, said he plans to end his time as manager in Hermon on June 15 and begin working in Auburn on June 18.

“I look forward to seeing you all again in about a month,” Deschene said.

Councilors agreed to hire Deschene last week, ending a process that began in January.

Deschene is a lifelong-Maine resident and current manager in Hermon, a town of 5,500 residents just east of Bangor.

“I’m kind of doing two jobs right now,” Deschene said. He’s working with Hermon’s staff and councilors to help them finish their budget and get ready for his departure.

“And I’m reading everything I can about Auburn,” he said. “No presumptions here, I won’t have it all down. But I’m anxious to work with staff on different projects and get started.”

Councilors agreed to a three-year contract paying Deschene $94,000 per year. That amount increases to $97,000 after six months and $99,000 after completing his first year.

Also according to the contract, Deschene is also allowed $70 per month for a cell phone, a $400 per month car allowance and paid membership in the International Association of City Managers, a professional development group.

The contract also sets up a termination process, requiring councilors to give Deschene 30 days notice and a six-month severance package if they decided to terminate his contract without cause. It also requires them to give him a 90-day notice if they choose to not renew his contract.

Only City Councilor Belinda Gerry voted against hiring Deschene, saying she was not convinced. Both Deschene and Benjamin Marchant, the other candidate being considered for the job, have management styles that she would like to see changed.

Deschene replaces Glenn Aho. The previous City Council voted to terminate Aho’s contract in October. They voted in November to hire consultants Eaton Peabody to lead the search for Aho’s replacement and manage the city in the meantime.

Councilors also filled another vacant position, naming Sue Clements-Dallaire permanent city clerk. Clements-Dallaire has been acting city clerk since Roberta Fogg resigned in November.

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