The Lisbon Town Council has appointed James “Jim” Bennett, a retired town manager and Lisbon resident, as interim town manager for the next six months while councilors search for someone to fill the position permanently.

“We are so pleased that Jim has offered his services for Lisbon,” Town Council Chairperson Fern Larochelle said in a news release last week after the council made the appointment Wednesday.

“He has a long history of leadership in communities that were facing difficult challenges, particularly financial matters,” the release said. “His proven track record of positively assisting the elected officials within those communities navigate those challenges give the Town Council great confidence.”

The appointment comes on the heels of four new councilors being elected last week. They will be sworn in Dec. 2.

After Town Manager Glenn Michalowski resigned and took an interim position in Raymond last month, Assistant Town Manager Sarah Bennett was appointed acting manager until an interim one was named.

Bennett will serve while the town searches for a “highly qualified” town manager, according to the news release. He is charging the town $1,800 per week with no benefits of any kind, according to the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement between Bennett and Lisbon.

The town has been dealing with a budget shortfall of roughly $1.3 million due to an accounting error in last year’s budget, driving property taxes up by as much as 18.6%. Residents have expressed concerns over the steep property tax increases resulting from the error, as well as frustration with town employees and elected officials for the oversight.

Bennett has worked as town manager for Dixfield, New Gloucester, Old Orchard Beach, Westbrook, Lewiston, Sabattus, Presque Isle and Biddeford.

Earlier this year he filed a civil suit against Biddeford, alleging the city owed him money to which he was contractually entitled as city manager. The city denied it owed him any money, alleging he breached his contract. That suit was settled last month.

While the details of the settlement were unclear, a statement released by both parties noted, “The litigation was a contract dispute and did not involve the performance of the former city manager.”

In the news release from Lisbon, Bennett said, “Upon retiring and returning home, our plan was to be private citizens in the community and contribute accordingly. The last few weeks I have been motivated by the legacy of my Mom, my love of my hometown and my desire to assist the community during the transition.”

The release noted Bennett is not related to Assistant Town Manager Sarah Bennett.