Bedford Town Office is undergoing some changes – not building repairs but a reconstruction in personnel.

The most recent longtime town employee to leave is Nancy Larson, Bedford planner II. On Dec. 26, she moved on to a higher position as Merrimack’s planning and zoning administrator.

“It was a great opportunity that was brought to my attention and I couldn’t pass it up,” Larson said.

Larson had worked in Bedford for almost 10 years. She started as a full-time employee working half-time in the town manager’s office and half-time in the planning department, she said. After about six months, she was hired as planner I, and was promoted to planner II about six years ago, she said.

Now, she has moved up again.

“I have more responsibility with this position than in my previous position,” Larson said.

In Merrimack, she will act as liaison to the planning and zoning boards. She will also be the administrator and interpreter of town zoning ordinances, a job done in Bedford by Planning Director Karen White.

As of Dec. 28, Larson is again working under former Bedford town manager Keith Hickey, who is now Merrimack town manager.

“Yeah, I’m very happy about it,” she said of working for Hickey.

Hickey left Bedford in November and will be replaced by Russ Marcoux, current Derry town administrator. Marcoux is expected to move to town offices in February.

In addition to familiarizing himself with the town, and being thrust into election season, Marcoux will have to find a replacment for yet another longtime town employee – Town Planner Karen White.

White, who is set to retire in August, said her job will be filled before the planner II position is filled. After Marcoux hires a planning director, that person can hire a new planner II, White said.

White has been planning director for 18 years and was the first to hold the position, she said.

White said it was a pleasure working with Larson.

“It was great. She was a hard worker,” White said.