Embury was Runner Up in Mass. Town Manager Search

Though he loves North Kingstown and has no plans to leave, Town Manager Michael Embury is keeping his options open.

Embury was the runner up in the Middleboro, Mass., town manager search, which ended this week with that council voting 4-1 to hire Robert G. Nunes, former mayor of Taunton, to take the job.

Embury got one vote from Selectman John M. Knowlton, who cited Embury’s willingness to move to Middleboro and pay taxes there as a primary reason why he supported the NK Town Manager for the job.

Embury was one of three finalists chosen from a pool of 30 applicants.

In an interview, Embury said that he loves it here in North Kingstown and has “no desire to leave.”

“It’s a matter of self preservation,” he said. “There is uncertainty with this election with certain candidate comments and I have a family to look out for.”

Embury said his application for the job in Middleboro is an effort to hedge against any potential shakeups if a new council bent on ousting him is elected.

“I think we’re doing a good job and have a good staff,” he said. “But I’m keeping my eyes open.”

Embury would not say if there are other communities in which he’s in the running for a manager job.