WOOLWICH

Woolwich Town Administrator Suzette Cloutier resigned from her position earlier this month after nearly six months on the job.

“On Dec. 7, she turned in her resignation,” said Woolwich Selectman Jason Shaw.

He said Cloutier left “to pursue other career options,” but declined to elaborate further on the record.

“We accepted it with regret, and we appointed Lynette (Eastman) back as interim town administrator,” said Shaw. “She’s actually only working part time because she’s obviously retired.”

Cloutier took over as town administrator when Eastman retired over the summer, officially starting in the position on July 1. Prior to that she had served about a year as tax collector.

Cloutier’s resignation comes after a period of staff turnover in the three-person office. Eastman had worked at the town for 21 years, and Town Clerk Janice Bradford had been with the town six years before leaving in August. Tax Collector Katie Johnston started in July. Town Clerk Mary Howe started at the town in August, but resigned after the election in November. Chelsea Lane took over as town clerk in early December.

Despite the turnover, Shaw said that he’s not worried about filling the position.

“When we advertised all of the positions, I was quite pleased that we had the number of applications that we had,” he said. “It wasn’t that we didn’t have any applicants.”

With plenty of applicants, Shaw added, it’s all about finding the right fit for the small town office.

“I think that working in a small town office is unique in its own right,” he said. “The demands in small town offices are growing.”

Shaw said that the town will likely start advertising for the open position in January.

nstrout@timesrecord.com

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