HALLOWELL — Current city Code Enforcement Officer Doug Ide was appointed to the position of interim city manager Monday.
The unanimous decision came after a 25-minute executive session at the beginning of a special meeting via Zoom. Ide, who is also a selectman in Manchester, has been city’s code enforcement officer for more than four years.
Ide will take over for outgoing City Manager Nate Rudy, who is leaving the position to become the town manager of Gray.
After the meeting, City Councilor Diana Scully, who is the chairperson of the council’s Personnel and Policy Committee, said the panel was involved in Ide’s appointment. She said Ide’s appointment made “a lot of sense” because he was familiar with everyone in city government already.
“He’s good with people,” she said. “I’m very grateful that he’s going to step forward.”
Scully said Ide will spend about three-quarters of his time on interim city manager duties and one-quarter on his usual code enforcement duties. Scully said the city be able to deal with most pressing issues, but some other things may take a bit more time.
Lapointe also nominated City Clerk Diane Polky and city police Sgt. Chris Lewis to two positions vacated by Rudy. Both nominations were accepted; Polky will serve as Freedom of Access officer, while Lewis will be the emergency response team’s communications officer.
After being nominated by Rudy, Rick Seymour was also unanimously appointed to the position of local health officer, who serves on the city’s Board of Health.
Just before the city council adjourned, Scully thanked Rudy for his service to Hallowell. Rudy said it was his “honor and privilege.”
Rudy’s final day as Hallowell’s manager is Thursday and his current annual salary is $74,446. After starting in Gray on March 1, Rudy will earn $105,000, along with other benefits as part of his three-year contract.
Earlier in February, the City Councilors unanimously voted to allocate up to $8,000 to hire a consultant to help the city find its next manager.
Scully said the city would be working with David Barrett, from Maine Municipal Association, to find candidates for the city manager position. She said he is scheduled to meet with councilors at their regular March meeting.
This meeting was initially scheduled for Thursday, but a power outage forced a postponement.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
