Larissa Crockett, Scarborough’s new assistant town manager, started work Monday. The post, which is a first for the town, was approved by the Town Council as part of the new fiscal year budget.

The assistant town manager’s duties include having “a substantial role in developing the operating and capital budgets, community and business relations and capital project management,” among others, according to the job description created for the post.

Crockett was one of 58 to apply for the position of assistant town manager, which carries an annual salary of approximately $64,000, according to Town Manager Tom Hall.

Hall said Crockett stood out from the other candidates because she has “a terrific blend of public-sector experience, education and passion for local government.” In addition, he said, “Larissa (also) has an enthusiasm for the work and a curiosity for learning new things that impressed me.

“Lastly, her personality will be an excellent fit with the rest of the senior staff,” Hall added.

He was surprised at the large number of applications for the job, particularly as the town has had some difficulty in recruiting for other open positions.

Crockett lives in Acton with her husband, Ethan, her three children and two aging pets, one dog and one cat. She hopes to sell the house in Acton and move closer to Scarborough sometime in the spring, she said this week.

“Scarborough is a wonderful community,” she said this week, “and the opportunity to begin my professional career in a town that is a microcosm of Maine itself with coastline, wetlands, farms, commercial and residential areas seemed ideal.”

She also looks “forward to working with and learning from (Hall). He is well respected in the field and has years of experience in growing and dynamic communities.”

Crockett also said, “The members of the Town Hall staff I have met so far have been welcoming and are all clearly capable and committed public servants. I’m looking forward to being part of this team of people and finding ways to support the work that is currently being done, as well as contributing to new initiatives that will further enhance the level of service we provide (to the) townspeople.”

She added that since the position of assistant town manager is new, the biggest challenge “may be simply finding out how to use the position most effectively.”

Her basic duties will focus on the budget, including looking for ways to find “greater efficiencies, if possible.”

Another part of her role, Crockett said, would be determining the best ways to “reach out to the community to find out how we can best communicate the budget process (to) them.”

Hall said this week the community needs an assistant manager because “the size and sophistication of the Scarborough town government is in the top tier of municipalities in the state. This additional member of the senior staff will complement existing staff and will exponentially expand our capabilities.”

In an email sent to the Town Council in mid-September announcing Crockett’s hiring, Hall said she “brings over nine years of experience with local, regional and state government” to the position.

Most recently, Crockett has served on the Board of Selectmen for the town of Acton and was chairwoman of its Finance Committee. As one of three on the board, Crockett also shared responsibility for the day-to-day operations of Acton’s $2.2 million municipal budget, its six town departments and its employees, Hall said in introducing her to the council.

Crockett is a graduate of the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire and also holds a master’s degree in policy, planning and management from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine.

Hall said in her role as assistant town manager Crockett would “support me and various town committees and have a substantial role in developing the operating and capital budgets, performing financial condition benchmarking and trend analysis and overseeing the town’s purchasing functions.”

As the assistant manger, Crockett will also directly supervise the town’s purchasing specialist and new sustainability coordinator. Additionally, Hall said, she will “work on assigned projects, attend workshops and other community events and meetings, participate in community activities and maintain good community relations.”

Overall, Hall told the council, “Larissa’s blend of passion for public service and technical ability will make her a great addition to the town.”

Crockett will be introduced publicly at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 5, which is after the Current’s print deadline.

Larissa Crockett