AUBURN — The City Council said its official goodbyes to Denis D’Auteuil on Monday, while welcoming John Bubier as acting city manager.
The council voted unanimously on both measures almost two weeks after D’Auteuil announced he’d be leaving the city of Auburn for Lewiston, where he’ll be deputy city administrator.
While the council accepted his resignation, D’Auteuil will stay through March 24, Mayor Jonathan LaBonte said.
“We’re thankful for that,” he said.
Bubier, a former Biddeford city administrator, has been working for Auburn under contract to develop next year’s budget.
According to a City Council memo, “With his years of experience in municipal government, John Bubier has the qualifications needed to provide the leadership and guidance needed during the FY18 budget process and the transition of hiring a new city manager.”
The city is deep into its search for a permanent city manager. The first round of interviews is scheduled to take place soon, with LaBonte saying he’d like to have someone in place by the end of March.
Auburn is still seeking a permanent replacement for Howard Kroll, who left the city on Sept. 9, 2016, for the manager’s post in Hermon. Since then, Denis D’Auteuil has been acting city manager.
Last month, D’Auteuil said he received an offer following the first round of interviews in 2016 but ultimately withdrew his candidacy.
LaBonte said Bubier has “been working diligently on the budget process” with D’Auteuil. Bubier was not able to attend the meeting, LaBonte said.
City councilors Monday praised D’Auteuil for his work in Auburn.
Councilor Andrew Titus told D’Auteuil, “Good luck; we’re going to miss you.”
“It’s a shame to see you go,” said Councilor Grady Burns, who added that D’Auteuil has been a great resource to him as a new city councilor. “It’s been great being able to work side by side with you.”
In Lewiston, D’Auteuil will replace longtime Deputy Administrator Phil Nadeau, who will retire at the end of June.
D’Auteuil will be tasked with transitioning into a role held by Nadeau for the past 18 years. During his time, Nadeau and the city have received national attention for immigrant and refugee relations, with Nadeau serving as the unofficial spokesman for the city.
In other action, the council tabled a vote on appointing Mayor LaBonte to the Auburn Housing Authority, after housing authority officials said they’d like to address possible conflicts of interest that could arise from that appointment. D’Auteuil said a final recommendation will be made during the March 6 City Council meeting.
Auburn committee appointments confirmed Monday
* Bettyann Sheats reappointed to the Airport Board; term expires Jan. 1, 2020.
* Linda Wooten to the Auburn-Lewiston Advisory Cable TV Committee.
* Dana Bonenfant to the Community Development Block Grant Loan Committee; term expires Oct. 1, 2017.
* James Ayotte to the Ethics Committee; term expires Jan. 1, 2020.
* Suzanne Roy to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; term expires Oct. 1, 2018.
* Nathan Hamlyn, Marc Tardif, Mia Poliquin Pross and Sam Scogin reappointed as full members of the Planning Board; terms expire Jan. 1, 2020.
* Christopher Lewis and Dustin Boutin reappointed associate members to the Planning Board; terms expire Jan. 1, 2020.
* Raymond Fortier reappointed to the Auburn Sewer District; term expires March 1, 2021.
* Joel Simons to the Zoning Board of Appeals; term expires Oct. 1, 2019.
* Robert Cavanagh, Mary Sylvester and Dan Bilodeau to the Auburn Water District. Terms of Cavanagh and Sylvester expire March 1, 2021. Bilodeau’s term expires March 1, 2018.