It's Unanimous: New Administrator is John Anderson

By CAROL ROBIDOUX

Union Leader Correspondent

DERRY – After a unanimous string of "yes" votes, punctuated with words like “enthusiastically,” and “absolutely,” the Council last night named John Anderson new town administrator, effective October 25.

The vote capped off what has been a streamlined process that included input from residents, town employees and every council member. Anderson, who has served for the past decade as Town Manager of Boothbay, Maine, has said he's ready to get started – and looking forward to being part of the community.

So much so, that word on the street is that he has already been house hunting in town, and has made an offer on a place that should be ready to settle by the time he starts his new job.

“That's what we've heard,” said Councilor Neil Wetherbee earlier this week.

Another side effect of Anderson getting the job could be that Councilor Kevin Coyle will renew his commitment to the town and finish his term. Several months ago Coyle confirmed that he had purchased a home in Londonderry and had placed his home on the market.

However, a few weeks ago, Coyle further confirmed that he had found someone to rent the Londonderry house, and that he'd be staying put  in Derry. That confirmation came the same day Anderson told the Union Leader that he hoped Coyle would stick around, should he get the job.

“I guess John Anderson will get his wish,” Coyle said.

In other business, a proposal made by the Nutfield Senior Center asking  the town to set aside money for construction of a senior center to be built adjacent to the Boys and Girls Club was tabled, after senior center organizer John Moody contacted Council Chair Brad Benson prior to the meeting, asking to postpone the request.

Benson proposed that a workshop be scheduled in October so that discrepencies over the amount being requested of the town by the Nutfield Senior Center be settled, and particulars of the proposal be aired publicly.

“I've had several different communications with different numbers of people who want to understand the function and purpose of the proposed senior center, and how it will fund itself. I'd like to see senior staff involved, the downtown group involved, council involved – and anyone else who we think needs to be involved. We need to go from square A to square Z,” Benson said.

Town Administrator Gary Stenhouse said he would get that information posted on the town's Web site as soon as a date was set, likely sometime between the two scheduled October council meetings.

Also discussed was changing the date of the regularly scheduled Nov. 2 council meeting to Nov. 3, because it coincides with Election Day. Benson noted that moving the meeting to the following day is procedurally correct. The council agreed to the change.