By Monica Pettengill Jerkins

OXFORD — Town Manager Michael Chammings confirmed Wednesday that he will soon leave his position with the town to take a new position with the city of Auburn as its economic and community development director.

Chammings said he submitted his letter, dated Dec. 16, to the Chair of the Board of Selectmen Scott Owens about two weeks ago, but the board has not taken any action on the matter to his knowledge as of Wednesday morning.

“The date on the resignation isn’t accurate because I didn’t catch up with him [Owens] right away,” said Chammings.

His last day will be Monday, Jan. 18, according to Chammings, who said in an email that the timing of his departure is flexible due to accrued vacation time.

The Board of Selectmen scheduled an executive session meeting to discuss a personnel matter in accordance with 1 M.R.S.A. § 405(6)(A), for Thursday evening at 6 p.m., but Chammings said the personnel issue was unrelated to him.

Chammings said he planned on finishing up his duties as town manager, for the most part, next week, but that the town has several projects going on – including the construction of a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility – that he will try to help work with transitioning to a new town manager.

In his resignation letter, Chammings said, “Hopefully, I will be replaced by someone with the same passion for town management, commitment to community involvement and compassion to those in need that I have had.”

He added, “I leave the town in great fiscal shape, with a promising future and a competent and hardworking staff [which I will sincerely miss]. Oxford is truly a great place to work, live and raise a family.”

Also on Wednesday, the city of Auburn announced Chammings’ hire in a press release, stating he will begin his position with the city on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Auburn City Manager Howard Kroll said Chamming’s experience in creating jobs made him the best candidate, along with his other economic development experience.

“He is a strong complement to the City’s staff and is the best candidate for the long term success of the city’s economic and community development efforts,” Kroll said in his written statement.

Chammings replaces Roland Miller in the Auburn post. Miller retired in November after 35 years in the position.

mjerkins@sunmediagroup.net

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