Salem Selectmen Reach Agreement With Interim Town Manager

SALEM, NH — The Board of Selectmen announced on Sept. 6, 2017, that it had reached terms with Christopher Dillon, the town's interim town manager, to take over the role of town manager. The board announced that it was suspending its search for a new manager including its work with Community Paradigm Associates, LLC, a municipal management-consulting firm. Dillon moved into the role in July after Leon Goodwin accepted a new job with the U.S. Department of State.

In a phone call earlier this afternoon with Bernie Lynch, managing partner of Paradigm Associates, Michael Lyons, the chairman of the Board of Selectmen, “extended the town’s gratitude for the firm’s professionalism and hard work,” according to a statement from the board. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Salem NH Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

The statement noted that Dillion has “impressed” the board during his stint and officials decided it was in “the best interest of the community” to offer him the position.

“Although new to the Town Manager role, Dillon is well known and respected in the Salem community, having served as Salem’s Recreation and later Community Services Director for nearly a decade,” according to officials. “In addition to his time in Salem, Mr. Dillon has extensive New Hampshire municipal experience and also holds a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from UNH.”

In addition, Lyons asked that thanks be extended to all the applicants who had already expressed an interest in the position, the statement noted.

At its meeting on Sept. 17, the board will vote will be asked to ratify a new contract for Dillon.

Photo courtesy of LinkedIn.