ROCKLAND, Maine — The city council is expected to appoint an acting manager next week.
Assistant City Manager Audra Caler Bell is handling the city manager duties until that appointment is made. Mayor Louise MacLellan-Ruf said Friday that the charter requires the appointment of an acting city manager, but it does not mandate that it happen at the moment the position becomes vacant.
“Because the acting city manager may serve for an extended period, the council is taking a few days to consider the appointment and anticipates making the appointment on July 6,” the mayor said Friday.
The council is scheduled to meet next Wednesday to take final action on the proposed 2016-2017 budget.
James Chaousis’ final day as manager was Thursday. He resigned after a tumultuous 16 months in office.
There are two employees who have served as acting manager for Rockland. City Clerk Stuart Sylvester has served in that capacity on multiple occasions, the last being from May through September 1999 between the terms of Rick Michaud and Tom Hall.
Wastewater treatment plant Director Terry Pinto served as acting manager for four months after Hall resigned in 2008. Pinto served until Rosemary Kulow took office in January 2009.
The council has not yet begun the process of recruiting a new manager. The council will decide at the Wednesday meeting whether to retain a full-time city attorney position. Attorney Kevin Beal announced last week he is resigning but has agreed to serve through Sept. 30.