BRUNSWICK, Maine — Brunswick’s former town manager, Gary Brown, who in February was dismissed by the Brunswick Town Council, has been hired as administrator for the town of St. James, in Brunswick County, North Carolina.
The St. James Town Council unanimously appointed Brown to the position Tuesday, the State Port Pilot reports.
Brown will earn $70,000 a year, significantly less than the $109,000 he earned as Brunswick’s town manager.
“He will be a great asset to the town,” St. James Mayor Becky Dus reportedly told the State Port Pilot.
Following his controversial dismissal by the Brunswick council in February, Brown told the Bangor Daily News “personality conflicts, as much as anything,” led to his dismissal seven weeks before his resignation was to take effect.
Brown declined to say in February with whom the conflicts arose. But during a council meeting that month, two councilors who voted against early dismissal accused newly elected council Chairman Benet Pols of retaliation against Brown for calling attention to a closed-door meeting Pols held with developers.
Pols did not seek re-election to the council this year.
During an equally controversial and contentious process, Brown — who previously gave up the job as Topsham town manager to become assistant manager in Brunswick — was hired in September 2009 to succeed longtime manager Don Gerrish. He clashed with state Sen. Stan Gerzofsky and other local politicians, several of whom held him responsible for renovations to the town hall coming in over budget.
Last week, the Brunswick Town Council appointed longtime finance director John Eldridge as the new town manager. He will earn $112,000 annually.
Serving previously as town manager in Topsham, Vassalboro and China, Brown said in February he hoped to serve as town manager elsewhere.
Brown and his wife have vacationed in North Carolina for 12 years, according to the State Port Pilot. He and his wife bought a home in Brunswick County, North Carolina, the State Port Pilot reports, and sold their home in Topsham.
St. James has a population of 3,600, according to the town’s website, which describes the community as “a residential town with a large population of vibrantly active retirees … [and] home to many young families.”
Brunswick’s population was 15,175 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census.
Brown couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.