FREEPORT – The Town Council formally hired Peter Joseph on Tuesday night to replace Town Manager Dale Olmstead when he retires in October.

Joseph, who is now the town manager of Lincoln, N.H., was one of 41 applicants and two finalists for the job.

The council unanimously approved Joseph’s three-year contract, including a $95,000 annual salary, and welcomed him with a round of applause.

“Thank you for the opportunity,” Joseph said. “I’m really looking forward to serving the town and also becoming part of the community.”

Olmstead, who has been town manager for 30 years, has a yearly salary of $120,000. The other finalist was James Doar, town manager of Bethel.

Joseph’s first day will be Sept. 17. The council is developing a transition plan to be considered in the coming weeks.

The council sought an experienced municipal manager for Freeport, which has 7,991 residents and a $9.3 million municipal budget.

Joseph, 29, has been Lincoln’s town manager since May 2008. The native of Beverly, Mass., worked previously as an assistant in the town manager’s office in Andover, Mass., and in the town administrator’s office in Peterborough, N.H.

Lincoln has 1,662 residents, a $4.4 million annual budget, a board of selectmen and an annual town meeting.

Joseph’s contract requires him to move to Freeport within six months. It also covers 75 percent of health insurance costs and provides mileage reimbursement, a cellphone and $5,000 toward moving expenses.

 

Staff Writer Kelley Bouchard can be contacted at 791-6328 or at:

kbouchard@pressherald.com

 

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