Town Manager Tim Pellerin has announced his resignation, effective May 29.
In a letter he read to the Town Council Tuesday night, Pellerin gave no reason for his decision but said “after careful thought…I submit my formal resignation.”
In a phone call the next day, Pellerin suggested change is healthy and it was time.
“After four-and-a-half years here, I feel it’s time to move on,” Pellerin told the South Berwick Reporter, noting he has long believed that people become stagnant after too long in the same position.
“New people bring new ideas,” he said.
In the phone conversation, Pellerin indicated he will be moving to another job, but said he has not made a final decision about which of several offers for career advancement he will take.
“I can’t say anything more for at least two weeks,” he said.
Reading from his letter, which he said was heartfelt, Pellerin told the Town Council, “It has been a true honor to serve the South Berwick community and to work in partnership with the council.”
He then praised Town Hall staff for their work in the community.
“Thank you for your leadership, commitment and unwavering dedication and excellence. Your efforts are the foundation job of the town’s success and it’s been an honor to lead such a professional and capable team,” he said.
“Your professionalism, resilience and dedication enabled the town to function from day to day, often under challenging circumstances,” he added. “Together we have made meaningful progress and advanced many important initiatives.”
Pellerin expressed particular gratitude toward his assistant.
“Jen Janelle has been the best assistant town manager anyone could ask for,” he said. “Jen knows everything about the town and will help through the transition.”
Among the initiatives Pellerin spoke of proudly in the phone call were: a 30-year trash disposal contract; the Town Hall renovation project; the addition of street lighting; the creation of Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, districts; and the downtown revitalization plan.
Pellerin pledged to cooperate with the transition process before he leaves.
“I am committed to ensuring a smooth and orderly transition and will assist whoever you choose to be in the interim role in preparing for new leadership,” he said.
The council initially will need to appoint an interim town manager and then will post the position and collect resumes, according to council Vice Chair Mallory Cook, who said the board is still in the process of working out details and will engage a consultant to help with the search.
“Our first priorities are to have a successful Annual Town Meeting on 5/19 and to appoint an Interim Town Manager,” she wrote in an email.
Pellerin’s resignation comes two weeks after the town’s communications director, Suzanne Esposito, took the council to task for its lack of transparency and its treatment of Town Hall staff. It also comes amid controversies over the increasing cost of the $7 million to $8 million Town Hall renovation.
Cook praised Pellerin for his contributions to the town.
“Tim has had a meaningful impact on South Berwick since joining the town in 2021. During his tenure, the Town began to build momentum beyond day-to-day operations, advancing longer-term, strategic efforts to benefit the community,” she said in an email.
She also recognized him “for the culture shift he helped bring to Town Hall, as well as the focus and steady leadership he demonstrated in the role.”
Having worked closely with Pellerin over the years, she said, she has “come to know him as both a valued colleague and a friend.”
Councilors offered no response to Pellerin’s announcement during the meeting, but at its end council Chair John James announced the council would immediately go into executive session “on personnel matters” to “discuss a path forward.”
