Good-bye town manager, hello Naples town clerk

 

 

PARTING WORDS — During his last meeting as Naples town manager, Ephrem Paraschak receives a plaque and a brief speech from Naples Chairman Jim Grattelo on Monday. (De Busk Photo)

By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — The end of the meeting was reserved for the end of Ephrem Paraschak’s time as Naples town manager.

It was goodbye town manager, hello town clerk.

The Naples Board of Selectmen voted to select Town Clerk Judy Whynot as the interim town manager.

Moving forward, during the time before a full-time town manager is hired, Naples Finance Director Harriet Condon will take over the duties of treasurer — one of Paraschak’s roles. All checks will require the signature of selectmen as well as Condon’s. The part-time maintenance person will report to Naples Fire Chief Chris Pond for work assignments.

Chairman Jim Grattelo presented Paraschak with a plaque and a parting speech on Monday night.

“He has done a lot for this community. We will have a hard time replacing the town manager,” Grattelo said.

“The town manager of Naples is chief, cook and bottle washer,” he said.

“I cannot name another community where the town manager is standing on a ladder putting up flags or scuba diving to help put in docks,” Grattelo said. “It is going to be hard to find a Jack-of-all-trades. This is not going to an easy position to fill.”

“I wish you good luck in Gorham,” he said.

Paraschak was hired as the new town manager for the Town of Gorham this spring. In recent weeks, he has been job shadowing there, and his job begins in September.

It was reported that 20 applications were received for the Naples town manager position.

“It was 20. I wish it was 40,” Grattelo said.

“With the unemployment rate so low, when it comes to professional positions, the pool is very thin,” he said.

“Right now, there are six or seven town manager jobs in the State of Maine trying to be filled,” he said.