Eastport city manager tenders resignation

After just about 18 months on the job, Eastport City Manager Larry Post tendered his resignation at a special city council meeting held the evening of November 21. Council President Mary Repole explains that no specific reason was given.
In a hand‑written letter dated November 21, Post wrote, "I, Larry Post, hereby resign as city manager effective December 31, 2014." The letter continues with conditions of his severance payment and is signed by all five councillors. The council accepted his resignation unanimously, and Repole says she wishes Post well.
Assistant City Manager Elaine Abbott has accepted the position of interim city manager, with Repole saying, "We're very pleased to have Elaine." Abbott has been assistant city manager for a number of months in an unpaid position while also fulfilling her work obligations at city hall in administration and the sewer billing department. "She has quite a bit of experience under her belt. She's in a good place to keep things moving," Repole says. The council met with the city's staff on the morning of November 24 to apprise them of the changes. Council met with Abbott the following morning to provide some direction, with the interim city manager meeting with department heads later in the day.
Post had left the city over the weekend of November 23. However, he will officially be on paid leave until December 31, and starting on January 1, 2015, will collect severance pay of eight weeks of salary and benefits plus any unused vacation days and accrued sick time, as was agreed upon at the time of his hiring in April 2013. At the time of his resignation, his annual salary was $62,000. Currently Abbott's salary is $33,280, and Repole explains that nothing has been adjusted in Abbott's pay or benefits to reflect her new position and duties. Fortunately, Abbott had just finished doing the sewer bills and related work before Post's resignation. "We should be in pretty good shape," Repole says. If a new city manager has not been found by the next quarterly sewer billing time, the city may bring someone in to help on a temporary basis.
The search for a new city manager will most likely start after January 1. Repole notes that she has all the documents from the last go-round, including application and evaluation forms, advertising outlets and more.
"It's business as usual," Repole says, reassuring the city's residents. "We'll be working with the county and other jurisdictions to make sure everything continues smoothly."