AUBURN — City Manager Peter Crichton will name Denise Clavette, an economic development director in Yarmouth, as his choice for assistant city manager.
The City Council will vote on the appointment Monday.
According to a memo to the council, Clavette has been the economic development director in Yarmouth for the past two years and previously served as the parks and recreation director in Portland for several years.
The appointment represents the last piece in a reshuffling of management at Auburn City Hall since former City Manager Howard Kroll resigned last year. Since then, the City Council conducted a lengthy search for a new city manager, quickly followed by another search for the assistant city manager position vacated by Denis D’Auteuil.
Crichton said Friday that Clavette brings “a lot of experience and knowledge” to the role, and will make an immediate impact.
“She certainly adds to the stability in terms of management of the city on a day-to-day basis,” he said.
There were more than 40 applicants for the position, fielded by a selection team that included the police chief, public services director and acting Assistant City Manager John Bubier.
Crichton said they conducted nine interviews, eventually narrowing the field to three.
Before being hired in Yarmouth as the city’s first economic development director, Clavette worked for 15 months as the executive director of the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce. Before that she was the business development manager for Brunswick from 2009 to 2013.
While Clavette likely will be confirmed Monday, she won’t start until the end of July, Crichton said.
“I’m pleased to be able to put forward her appointment,” Crichton said Friday. “We’ll have a strong team and be able to move forward, and keep the momentum going. I’m excited about having her come aboard.”
He added that her background in economic development and running a parks and recreation department are “all positives for the position.”
Bubier was brought in on an interim basis after the departure of D’Auteuil, and was instrumental in crafting next year’s budget. Crichton, who began at the tail end of the budget process, said Bubier will remain until early August to help with the transition.
The council also will hold a second reading Monday on the $41.7 million 2017-18 budget, which failed in a first reading by a vote of 2-3.
Yet another missing piece at City Hall will be filled this week when Adam Lee is sworn in as the Ward 4 city councilor. He ran unopposed for the seat, which has been vacant since December, following the resignation of Ernestine “Tina” Gilbert.
arice@sunjournal.com
Denise Clavette, economic development director in Yarmouth, has been nominated for assistant city manager in Auburn. The City Council will vote on the appointment Monday.
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