Wayne town manager chosen for Paris

PARIS —  Amy Bernard, the current town manager of Wayne, has been selected as the new town manager of Paris.

The board of selectmen signed a two-year contract with Bernard during its meeting Tuesday.

Reached Wednesday, Bernard said she was excited for the opportunity in Paris.

Bernard has been Wayne's Town Manager for the past four years and said she's enjoyed the job but is ready for a position with more responsibility in a larger municipality.

"It's a good fit for me," she said.

The 33-year-old lives in Rumford and said she isn't planning on relocating to Paris. A clause in her contract allows her to live within 30 minutes of town.

Bernard said she's aware of some of the issues Paris has had over the years, but said it's not uncommon for communities to go though periods of turbulence.

"These things happen," said Bernard.

"I'm looking forward to a new chapter for Paris as well as for myself ... everything that happens in the past happens in the past and everything in the future is what we should keep our eye on."

According to the contract, Bernard will receive a $53,000 yearly salary, which may be adjusted by $2,000 after a six-month probationary evaluation.

Bernard holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine, has been an intern for municipal governments in Winthrop, NH and Barre, VT and conducted research for the River Valley Growth Council in Rumford.

She is currently completing a Master's Degree in Community Planning.

During Tuesday's meeting Board Chair Sam Elliot said selectmen were impressed by Bernard's confidence, demeanor and ability to deal with staff and the public.

Bernard's experience with towns as large as Barre and small as Wayne gave her a good balance of experience, Elliot said. 

The board received 54 applications for the town manager position, which has been open since former Town Manager Phil Tarr left in September.

Elliot said the board had interviewed four candidates and many other applicants had strong credentials, but Bernard stood out in particular.

"Somehow she stood apart from the rest of them and we had no trouble coming together on a decision," Elliot said.

Selectman Ryan Lorrain thanked his fellow board members, noting that the board kept within the time line for the town manager selection it drew up in September.

The town will hold a greeting reception for Bernard on Monday, November 26, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the town office.

Bernard is set to start working part-time in Paris on December 1 while she finishes her work in Wayne. She is scheduled to begin working full-time in Paris in mid-December.