Bryan Kaenrath, left, signs a five-year contract to become the city manager of Waterville as then Mayor Jay Coelho, right, looks on May 9, 2023. Kaenrath informed city officials Thursday that he is leaving his post after less than two years, effective May 1. “I was definitely in shock with the letter that I received,” Mayor Mike Morris said Friday. Amy Calder/Morning Sentinel file

WATERVILLE — Mayor Mike Morris and city councilors expressed shock Friday over City Manager Bryan Kaenrath’s announcement that he plans to leave his job after about 18 months.

City officials and staff received an email from Kaenrath just before midnight Thursday notifying them of his resignation effective May 1.

Kaenrath has been hired as city administrator in Lewiston.

“I was definitely in shock with the letter that I received,” Morris said Friday. “It certainly wasn’t on my radar of something I was going to open.”

Morris said he spoke with Kaenrath Friday morning and understands his decision to pursue another opportunity.

“I appreciate everything he has done for us,” Morris said. “I think he has been a tremendous asset. I like the path that we’re on.”

Councilors voted 7-0 in May 2023 to hire Kaenrath at a salary of $155,000, with adjustments expected to be based on performance and annual evaluations. He started July 31, 2023, and his contract is for five years.

Kaenrath came to Waterville from Saco, where he had served as city administrator since November 2019. He formerly served as a Democrat in the Maine House of Representatives from 2006-14, representing the cities of Portland and South Portland.

Kaenrath said in his email to the council that he plans to be present and fully engaged in the city’s important work until his last day. He said his time in Waterville has been a “rewarding, engaging and productive experience,” and that, with the work of city staff, meaningful contributions have been made in areas including housing, infrastructure, downtown revitalization, historic preservation, grants, rehabilitation of city buildings, staff investment and public engagement.

“We have a lot to be proud of in Waterville,” he said.

Waterville City Manager Bryan Kaenrath stands downtown in December 2023. Councilors say Kaenrath, who is leaving in May to take a similar position in Lewiston, will leave his mark on the city. Council Chair Rebecca Green says, “I think he’s someone that’s very much respected by the staff and the council. We’ll miss him.” Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Kaenrath said Friday he is “enormously appreciative of the opportunity to serve the city.” He was grateful to have been hired by its governing body, he said, and believes city officials and staff have been able to do some positive things and pave the way for successes in 2025.

Kaenrath cited as an example the announcement last fall of a congressional earmark of $1.6 million to Waterville to be used for downtown projects as part of the city’s visioning plan.

“I think we’re in a really good position,” he said. “Lots of great things to come and I think we’ve accomplished a lot. I couldn’t be more proud of the staff, for sure.”

Council Chair Rebecca Green, D-Ward 4, echoed Morris’ comments Friday, saying Kaenrath has done a lot for the city and she is sorry to see him go.

“I’m obviously surprised and disappointed,” she said. “I really was not expecting this at all. Bryan’s always been extremely energetic and excited about the work in Waterville and so I am surprised by this decision, but I also realize that we have a very competitive job market in Maine and this is the era we’re in. People are making career choices all the time.”

She said Kaenrath’s departure puts the council in a tough position going into budget season but the city will be fine as it has a very strong staff.

“Bryan told me this was a very hard decision and I believe him,” Green said. “I’m sure he didn’t take this lightly. Of course it’s very disappointing for Waterville, but he’s done a lot for Waterville. From the beginning he has been very supportive of building the staff and making sure that they had the resources they’ve needed and that the city has the resources that we need. He came in and said we have to pave some roads.”

Green said Kaenrath worked to help with the renovation of Appleton Street and was excited about the downtown visioning plan.

“He dug right into that. He’s been very keen on economic development and worked closely with Michael Hall, community development specialist, on bringing in some new businesses downtown. Again, he’s just really been an advocate of raising the profile of Waterville and showing the good things that are happening. I think he’s someone that’s very much respected by the staff and the council. We’ll miss him,” Green said.

It is up to the council to decide how to proceed with finding a new city manager. Morris said the council could seek proposals from organizations that help in that regard and if the council decides to go that route, they could vote Tuesday night to do so.

“There are definitely options,” Morris said. “I think that for now, we should probably not be in a rush. We still have three months. I think we’re still going to be in a situation where we are going to be without a city manager for a period of time.”

The council could hire an interim manager, but officials will likely hold off before deciding, Morris said.

“I think people are just going through the shock of the news, for lack of a better word, and processing and figuring out what we should do. I will do everything in my power to make sure we go through a good process, that we don’t rush anything and we’re not nervous about being without a city manager. We have fantastic department heads. I think our department heads are top notch and will continue to do the jobs that they do, day in and day out,” Morris said.

Councilor Rien Finch, D-Ward 6, said Friday that he also was surprised and disappointed by Kaenrath’s announcement. With a five-year contract, there was the expectation that the city would do some long-term economic growth projects and Kaenrath would see them through.

“He was here for 18 months — 18 out of a five-year contract. I feel a little bitter about that,” Finch said. “Yes, he has done some good things. The city is going to move forward; it’s all you can do.”

Finch acknowledged it is important to remember that it is Kaenrath’s livelihood at stake, and that people have to make career choices that are best for them.

“I don’t know how you can fault him for that,” Finch said.

Like Morris, Finch said a manager search should not be rushed and he is glad Kaenrath’s contract requires a 90-day notice if he decides to break that contract.

“I want us to take a step back and sift through this and be thoughtful and deliberate,” Finch said.

Morris sent out an email to city staff Friday afternoon acknowledging Kaenrath’s resignation and saying the city is fortunate to have such an experienced and dedicated staff and he is confident they will continue to perform excellent work as the city searches for a new manager.

“In the coming weeks, I am sure many of you will be called upon to participate in this important process,” Morris wrote.