Search continues for a new town administrator

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:07:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

Pembroke selectmen are a few steps closer to wrapping up their search for a new town administrator, and expect to further narrow down the field of nearly 20 candidates down soon.

They’ve conducted several interviews already, and will go through some more over the next few weeks, said Fred Kline, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

In the meantime, the town has gotten along just fine with help from Caroll Murray of Municipal Resources Inc., an agency that provides municipalities with staff and consultation when needed.

Murray stepped into the shoes of former Town Administrator Geoff Ruggles, who formally announced his resignation before selectmen on June 30. His last day was July 18.

Kline said the self-sufficiency of the town’s departments has also been a blessing as the board searches for the right candidate. “We were lucky Geoff contacted MRI for us when we gave notice, and Carol was able to start instantly, so she started a day or two before he left,” Kline said, allowing Ruggles to train her. “We’re fortunate that we have so many strong department heads. Without them, we’d be falling apart.”

Ruggles, who lives in Gilford, said he took a finance director job in Gilford to be closer to home and family.

Ruggles had been working as permanent town administrator since December, having spent three months on an interim basis before that, taking over for the prior town administrator, Troy Brown. Before that, he was the town’s finance director.

“It’s a great place to work. The people have been very supportive and very easy to get along with and work with, and it’s really just been a great experience,” said Ruggles about Pembroke’s Town Hall employees as well as its residents. “I know that sounds so trite, but it’s true.”

Kline said the lull between administrators and some other shuffles in the town offices have afforded selectmen the opportunity to take a closer look at structure of the town’s governance.

The town did not replace former town planner Laura Scott, who resigned in fall 2007. Also, Ruggles was still doing part of his old job, which was the finance director for Pembroke, a position that was not filled when he vacated it.

The town contracted planning consulting services out to the Central New Hampshire Planning Commission, and Kline said the costs associated with that need to be re-evaluated. “The sub-contract hours kind of add up. Now’s the time to look at that again,” Kline said, to determine whether the town would be better off with a staffed town planner.

With a new U.S. president soon, the economy could take a turn that would give the town some wiggle room in terms of funding, or possibly restrict funding further.

“In election years, the economy can do funny things,” Kline said. “Next year, we might have a whole different economy.”

Pembroke searches for new town administrator

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:14:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

Pembroke Town Administrator Geoff Ruggles is leaving his post for a different municipal job in Gilford.

The town is currently taking applications for the soon-to-be-empty position.

Ruggles, who lives in Gilford, said he took the finance director job in Gilford to be closer to home and family, adding the pay is about the same as he is currently making in Pembroke.

“It’s a hop, skip and a jump to Town Hall” from his home, said Ruggles.

Ruggles called selectmen on June 27, he said, to notify them of his resignation. It was made official at a special meeting the selectmen called on Monday, June 30.

Ruggles has been working as Pembroke’s permanent town administrator since December, having spent three months on an interim basis before that, taking over for the prior town administrator, Troy Brown.

He has been working in different positions for municipalities for 15 years, he said. His last day is Friday, July 18.

The town has posted ads in newspapers, at Local Government Center and other places online to advertise for the job, said Selectman Larry Preston. Preston acknowledged that, in his five years on the Board of Selectmen, he has seen a tremendous turnover in town office employees.

This is the first time he feels such a profound sense of loss of one, he said.

“He’s going to be sorely missed by everybody,” said Preston. “The selectmen did everything but break his legs to get him to stay,” he half-joked. Preston added Ruggles put in long hours at the town offices, was extremely organized and knowledgeable and spent a long time learning the ins and outs of the community.

The town looked to the Local Government Center for help in covering Ruggles’ duties. Through LGC’s back-up service, the town was able to secure a temporary replacement, Carroll Murray, to “step in and keep the ship together,” Preston said. “We wish him luck,” Preston said.

Pembroke News : Town administrator

Search continues for a new town administrator

Pembroke searches for new town administrator