Lincoln is again in search of a town manager after a new hire declined to take the job just days before he was set to start.
Town councillors recruited Andrew Frodahl to serve as town manager after the departure of its previous manager last year. He was slated to start work March 16, according to Councilor Lee Rand, who said he recruited him.
“I thought that he would do a fantastic job, myself,” Rand said in an interview over the phone. “I’m disappointed, but I’d rather have him quit now than down the road.”
The trouble hiring a manager comes at an inflection point in local politics. Its former mill is slated to become home to the world’s largest battery system by 2027, leading officials there to cautiously plan for an economic future that is not dependent on one major employer.
Frodahl could not be reached for comment Tuesday, but Councilor Eric Rojo said he was apologetic, telling councilors he consulted with family and decided the job was not the best fit.
Frodahl’s hiring had been approved unanimously by the council, which is now back to square one. It will likely enter executive session during its next meeting on Monday, allowing members to discuss next steps.
Rand said there were four finalists interviewed. He expects some council members will want to hire from the pool of runners-up. He said he will push instead to start the hiring process anew.
The delay may cause some inconvenience for the council, which is currently working with an interim town manager as budget season approaches.
“It’s really a bad time for us because we’re just getting started on the budgetary process up here,” Rand said, though he’s not trying to rush a decision. “I believe the next choice for town manager has to be unanimous, whoever we decide on.”
Daniel O’Connor is a Report for America corps member who covers rural government as part of the partnership between the Bangor Daily News and The Maine Monitor, with additional support from BDN and Monitor readers.
