Orrington Needs A Town Manager For Third Time In A Year

For the third time in a year, the town of Orrington is without a Town Manager, this time because she was fired before her probationary period was up.

Joan Gibson began the job in March, with a six-month contract, under the agreement that her first three months would be a probationary period. But just two months into that trial period, the town's Select Board met and voted 3-2 to let her go. The 58-year-old Levant resident was not at that meeting, but told the BDN she believes the firing was a violation of the town charter, and that she plans to seek legal advice.

Orrington's town government has been in an uproar for nearly a year. Gibson is the third Town Manager to vacate the position in less than a year, although the previous two left by their own choice, starting with long-terim town employee Paul White, who resigned in July of 2018. He was followed by interim Town Manager, Andy Fish, who also resigned shortly after taking the position. Residents of the town have been at odds over the cost of a proposed public safety building and how police coverage for the town should be handled, among other issues.

So far, there's been no word about who will be appointed interim Town Manager, until the town finds someone to take over the reigns. A municipal election will be held on June 3rd, with candidates running for open Select Board seats.