WISCASSET

The Wiscasset Board of Selectmen conducted a second round of first interviews with town manager candidates Thursday night, edging up to a new hire.

The town manager search was reopened in May. The ranks had been narrowed down to two candidates and two rounds of interviews took place, but neither applicant was given the position.

“We went back out and redid the whole process,” said interim town manager Don Gerrish. “We had about 33 applicants this time.”

This time, also, two candidates were interviewed. The board had selected three candidates for the position, Gerrish said, but the third candidate withdrew the application.

Gerrish, of Eaton Peabody, was hired in January as interim town manager to replace out-going manager Laurie Smith. Smith, who started her tenure as town manager in Wiscasset in 2010, left to become town manager of Kennebunkport.

In the terms of his contract, Gerrish has agreed to remain as interim manager until a new manager is hired or the town of Wiscasset terminates the contract.

Additionally Gerrish and Eaton Peabody consultant Richard Metivier have acted as consultants in Wiscasset’s town manager search. A public meeting took place Jan. 16 for residents to discuss the qualities they thought the new town manager should have.

rgargiulo@timesrecord.com