DEXTER, Maine — The town of Dexter is searching for a new town manager after Linda-Jean Briggs, who held the position since 2011, resigned last week.
Briggs confirmed on Tuesday that she is no longer the town manager of Dexter. Her last day was on Friday.
Briggs and the Dexter Town Council released a joint statement on Oct. 18 announcing the resignation.
“The parties have reached an agreement regarding the terms of Ms. Briggs’ separation from employment and a mutual release of claims,” read the statement, in part. “The agreement reflects the Town’s appreciation of Ms. Briggs’ service as Town Manager, as well as Ms. Briggs’ desire that the Town of Dexter move forward in a manner that best serves its citizens.”
An ad for the town manager’s position was placed in the Saturday edition of the Bangor Daily News.
“I ended up having to leave,” said Briggs, who was in her native Rhode Island on Tuesday. “I fully expected to be in Dexter for a number of years. It wasn’t meant to be.”
Briggs referred questions to her attorney, who was not immediately available for comment.
Dexter Town Council Chairman Peter Haskell said on Tuesday that Briggs offered to resign and her offer was accepted. The council board and Briggs often butted heads, he said.
“It wasn’t working out for awhile,” said Haskell. “Some of the things we wanted to do, she wouldn’t do. A lot of little things added up. It was a difference of opinions, I guess.”
In April 2012, Briggs received a contract extension to July 1, 2014, at which time her salary was increased to $63,000 per year, a bump from $50,000 per year.
Briggs said she hopes to be a town manager somewhere else.
“It’s what I went to school for and what I’m passionate about,” she said.
Haskell called Briggs smart and energetic, but there was a conflict of personalities, he said.
Dexter’s ad in the Bangor Daily News asks that resumes for the town manager position to be submitted by Nov. 15.
“I don’t know if we’ll get anyone in three weeks,” said Haskell. “Last time we had to re-advertise.”