Hopkinton officials will now be able to remove the word “interim” from its town administrator position.

Leon Kenison, chairman of the Bow Board of Selectmen, has been named the first permanent replacement since Ed Wojnowksi left the position in August 2007. In the meantime, Bob Veloski held the position until August, when he accepted a position in Sanbornton, and resident John Boatwright took over the duties on an interim basis until a permanent replacement could be found.

Kenison, who will officially take over the administrative duties Oct. 6, said he has always admired the town where he will now be working.

“I’ve always thought highly of it,” he said. “They have a number of things they’re trying to work on. One of the prime things being making it as easy on the taxpayers as they can. Also, I hope to find some new jobs and commercial entitiies that will help provide those job.”

Hopkinton Selectmen Chairman Scott Flood said Kenison brings a new dimension of thinking to the position.

“I think the great thing is that he has the experience to view things from more than just one side,” said Flood. “Instead of just the town administrator side, he can see it from the selectmen’s side and the management side. That will be helpful.”

Kenison also said his experience as a selectman will come in handy.

“I’ve had some exposure to municipal operations since being a selectmen in Bow,” said Kenison. “I’ve seen how that interaction is and know how that works on that side of the table. I’ve gotten an awful good taste of what municipal management is about.”

Most recently, Kenison has served as the town manager in Pittsfield for the past year, and he previously served as an interim city manager in Lebanon. He also held various positions during his 37-year tenure with the state Department of Transportation, including serving as commissioner.

Also appealing to the position for Kenison was its location, as it is only eight minutes door to door from his Bow home.

Kenison will continue his duties as a Bow selectman, and said there will be no scheduling conflicts with his two sets of board meetings. Hopkinton’s selectmen’s meeting are on Mondays, while Bow meets two Thursdays of each month.

Meeting a new set of residents is something Kenison is looking forward to.

“The very immediate will be to meet the people and develop a good relationship with the employees of the town and the residents,” said Kenison. “I want to let them know they’re always welcome to give me a shout with things that concern them.”