Seen here are Rumford Board Chairman Chris Brennick (left) and Acting Town Manager Stacy Carter.
RUMFORD — The Board of Selectmen will meet Wednesday to “develop a plan to hire a town manager, longterm,” according to Chairman Chris Brennick.
The 5:30 p.m. workshop will take place in the conference room, downstairs in the Municipal Building.
This workshop originally was scheduled to discuss the level of service for public works. However, the board agreed with Brennick’s assessment that a discussion about the town manager position was the priority at this time.
The acting town manager is Stacy Carter, who is the police chief. Brennick said there will also be discussion about his continuing role as acting town manager.
Last Wednesday, the board voted 4-1 to terminate town manager Linda-Jean Briggs, without cause, in accordance with her contract. Briggs, who was in the first year of a three-year contract as town manager, had been suspended with pay on Dec. 14.
Brennick added that Briggs will receive six months pay as the severance package.
On Friday, Finance Director Deb Laurinaitis said the severance pay totals $40,999.92.
In an email statement Thursday, Brennick wrote, “The board put a great deal of time into thinking about a path forward and considered a great number of factors in coming to our decision. Being in the budget season makes it important we have a good plan in place and was one of a multitude of factors considered.”
He added, “This was an incredibly difficult decision for the board to make. It was not rushed nor was it something the board took lightly. We remain committed to doing what is needed to maintain Rumford’s forward momentum. I am fully aware and understand that this is a time of high emotions, but we must seek to understand one another to build a stronger community. This is where we all live, and we must find common ground for our path forward.”
bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net
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