10 Questions for Londonderry's New Town Manager

Thursday is the first day on the job for new Londonderry Town Manager Kevin Smith.

The former Republican gubernatorial candidate replaces Acting Town Manager William Hart, who will return to serving solely as the town's police chief. Hart had been serving as acting town manager since Dave Caron's resignation last summer.

We asked Smith last week if he'd answer 10 questions for Londonderry Patch. Here's what he had to say:

1. What previous job of yours do you think best prepared you for the challenge you're about to undertake, and why? 

While each previous position I've held has in one way or another given me experience and a skill set that I can transfer to the job as Town Manager, my time as Assistant Director for the NH Division for Juvenile Justice Services has probably best prepared me for this current task, as I was responsible for overseeing a number of departments within the Division, including all of the agency's administrative functions and oversaw a budget that was similar in size to that of Londonderry's. 

2. What's your favorite "hidden gem" in Londonderry – the place or business that not everyone knows about that you enjoy? 

While most of the locals (in So. NH) know of this place, I still think one of the hidden gems in Londonderry, if not in NH, is the Tupelo Music Hall. Not only is it one of the best concert halls with its superior acoustics and intimate and cozy ambiance, but it attracts both up and coming local talent along with award-winning artists such as Suzanne Vega, George Winston, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and Vertical Horizon.   

3. I heard that you met your wife and proposed to her on the Londonderry football field. Can you share that story with us? 

Suzy and I actually first met one another in the stands of the Londonderry football field back when we were both in junior high - we were each there watching our brothers play. Some years later, when we were both in high school, I began doing the public address announcing for the games while Suzy was dressing up as the Lancer mascot - so needless to say, we both have fun memories of that particular place. So when it came time for me to propose to her, I thought what better venue to do it in than the place where we first met and shared many good times together. 

4. Which development do you see as being more important to the future of Londonderry and why – Woodmont Commons or Pettengill Road? 

As two of the largest development projects in all of Northern New England, I think they are both equally as important and frankly there is a lot of synergy between the two projects: one, both will have a net revenue positive impact on the town, which will help aid in keeping property taxes at a reasonable level into the future. Second, given the number of residential dwellings slated to be built as part of the Woodmont Commons development, it helps keep with the theme of "live, work, play" especially as more business moves into town. Most people would love to commute to work in the same town in which they live (especially if they've been commuting to MA everyday) and these two projects may now give them the opportunity to do just that. The key to both projects however, is making sure that they are each "done right" in that they are consistent with the town's long-term Master Plan and past heritage. 

5. What will be your top priority on Day 1? 

First and foremost, I want to meet all of the 200 or so employees of the town - these are the folks on the front lines, interacting with the community every day. I look forward to meeting all of them, listening to their ideas, and letting them know I plan on being an accessible town manager. 

6. Why were you interested in the Londonderry town manager's job? 

First and foremost, the opportunity was in Londonderry - a town I am obviously very familiar with and have a personal vested interest in given I grew up there and still have family living and working in town. Secondly, I believe Londonderry is on the cusp of a renaissance, if you will, in that there are a number of economic development projects on the horizon that are going to impact the community for the positive for years into the future. Londonderry is perfectly situated between the highways and airport, such that there is no reason it shouldn't be a haven for businesses looking to either move or expand here, while at the same time, it still provides for a small town quality of life and superior school system that is attractive to anyone looking to raise a family here. 

7. Did you have any interest in the town manager's job when it was advertised for the first time last year, while you were running for governor? Did you apply? 

No, I actually was not even aware that it had been posted the first time as I was focused entirely on my gubernatorial campaign at the time.  

8. Are you done with politics, or do you think there's a chance you'll run for office at some point in the future? 

I have no plans to run for office or return to politics in another capacity anytime in the foreseeable future, though I also recognize that at 36, I am still relatively young, so ruling out any endeavor long into the future at this point would be impossible. That being said, I am committed for the long-term in seeing that many of the projects on the horizon in Londonderry come to fruition and are completed in manner that is consistent with the town's culture and recently completed master plan.   

9. How concerned are you about the number of departures in key positions in the past year (town manager, senior director, town clerk, community development director, fire chief)? 

While no doubt the town has seen a number of changes over the past year, I am very confident that both the Town Council and Interim Town Manager and Police Chief, Bill Hart, have appropriately addressed a number of these matters already, and have done so while keeping "what is in the town's best interest" in mind as the highest priority. 

10. Now that you're town manager, are you going to continue handling the public address responsibilities at Londonderry Lancers home football games?  

Of course! In fact I begin my 20th season of being the "Voice of the Lancers" this year - and I'm looking forward to it as much as I did my first season!