The New Gloucester Board of Selectmen announced Wednesday morning that the town has hired Christine M. Landes as the new manager. Landes will begin May 10 and signed a three-year contract with a base salary of $92,500.

In a statement, Landes said she is looking forward to serving the town.

“I have always held an open-door policy. I welcome anyone to come and discuss concerns, bring forth suggestions and relay compliments regarding town businesses or issues,” she said.

Landes most recently worked as the city manager for Gardiner, a position she held for two and a half years before the City Council accepted her resignation March 10. She told the Kennebec Journal at the time that leaving was the right thing for her to do.

Landes replaces former Town Manager Brenda Fox-Howard, who announced in February that she would not be renewing her contract with the town. Fox-Howard signed a one-year contract with a starting salary of $78,000 last March, which was set to expire May 18 of this year. Her last day was April 2 and the Selectboard appointed Deputy Town Clerk Sharlene Myers as acting town manager during the search process.

The board approved March 1 a $4,000 contract with labor and employment consultant John McGough of Portland law firm Norman Hanson and DeTroy to conduct the search.

In other news, the Selectboard announced last week that Paul First will serve as interim town planner while a search is underway to fill the position permanently. First previously worked as town planner, town clerk and interim town manager. Scott Hastings left the position April 15.

The search for a new code enforcement officer to replace Debra Larrivee Parks, who retired earlier this year, remains ongoing. The town hired Kate Matthews, formerly an assistant code enforcement officer in Naples, last month. Matthews tendered her resignation to the board April 27 and her last day is May 6.

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