Marc Meyers will assume the role of Bath City Manager beginning November 3. Photo courtesy of the city of Bath

Bath announced Marc Meyers will become the permanent city manager beginning Wednesday, Nov. 3 after he served as interim city manager following Peter Owen’s retirement in late August.

Meyers served as Owen’s assistant city manager from 2018 to August 2021, but Meyers’ tenure in Bath dates back nearly a decade. He was hired as the community relations coordinator in 2012. Three years later, Meyers was director of community development, and by 2017 assumed the position of assistant city manager, according to the city.

“I am honored by to be selected as the next city manager and grateful for the opportunity,” Meyers said. “I love working for and living in the city of Bath. I’m really proud of the work I’ve been part of over the last nine years. I look forward to building on a strong working relationship with city council, and leading departments and employees as we build on our successes.”

Meyers said he plans to help the city face impending “facility, infrastructure and climate resiliency concerns” such as the labor shortage felt across industries coupled with a lack of housing.

He also mentioned a budget issue that will appear before Bath voters in next week’s election. The city is asking voters to approve expanding the list of items exempt from its spending cap in order to avoid $900,000 in budget cuts. Approving this change to the city charter won’t impact residents’ taxes, according to Meyers, nor would it raise or reduce the spending cap. It would only affect expenses listed under a certain part of the municipal budget.

“I’ve been a part of the budget team for the past six years and the financial concerns around the expenditure limitation are real,” said Meyers. “Support for the amendment is necessary to support city staff and services and avoid huge cuts to services residents have come to expect.”

Meyers now serves on the community development, economic development, facilities, recognition and transportation committees, in addition managing the city’s real estate, tax increment financing and information technology services.

When Owen announced his impending retirement in June, the city formed a hiring committee to find a new city manager. The committee was led by City Council Vice Chairperson Jennifer DeChant, and included Council Chairperson Aaron Park, and councilors Elizabeth Dingley and Julie Ambrosino.

According to a statement from the city, over 40 resumes were submitted over the summer from candidates across Maine and nationwide. The committee conducted interviews over the summer, but the committee recommended the city council hire Meyers to be the official city manager earlier this month.

“Marc’s experience with the city over the last 10 years is invaluable,” DeChant said.

Park said the fact that Meyers grew up in Bath, is a Morse High School alum and served alongside city managers for years helped tip the scales in his favor.

“The overall and overwhelming factor in my mind is his roots with the city and knowledge of where the city has been, is now, and the challenges ahead,” Park said. “Marc is also a really nice person; I’m happy for him and the city. I think we’re very fortunate.”

Park said he believes Meyers can help the city overcome obstacles such as the city’s need to redevelop the former Morse High School at 826 High Street. The city now owns the aging building after students moved to the new Morse High School building on Shipbuilders Drive off Congress Street during the last academic year, but plans for the old building haven’t been finalized.

As city manager, Owen said Meyers was one of the people by his side helping in both daily tasks and offering solutions on issues facing the city at the time. He said he believes Meyers will continue that same approach to the position.

“He has a good head for numbers and a creative approach to problem-solving,” said Owen. “If I had success as city manager, it was reflective of his support. I’m proud of Marc and of the council for making what I’m sure was a tough choice. He’ll provide continuity and stability for years to come.”