BRUNSWICK — The field of candidates for Brunswick’s town manager position has been reduced to two finalists. 

Gary Brown, currently the town’s acting town manager, and Laurie Smith, the assistant city manager in Auburn, emerged from last week’s interview sessions as the Town Council’s top choices. The council interviewed Brown and Smith on Friday following Thursday’s review of six individuals by panels comprised of citizens and town employees.

The council isn’t expected to make a final choice until after it holds a closed-door meeting on Aug. 3. The council had initially scheduled an executive session for Monday’s meeting, but two councilors were on vacation. 

Brown has been Brunswick’s assistant town manager for two years. He has been the acting manager since January when Donald Gerrish, the town’s top executive for nearly 20 years, retired. Brown also filled in for Economic Development Director Mat Eddy, who resigned in December. 

Prior to taking the assistant manager job in Brunswick, Brown was the town manager in Topsham from 2002 to 2007. He was the town manager in Vassalboro between 1995 and 2002 and the manager in China between 1989 and 1995. 

He graduated with a political science degree from the University of Southern Maine and is pursuing a master’s degree at USM’s Muskie Institute.

Smith, a Brunswick native, has worked in Auburn for the past 10 years, serving as the city’s assistant manager, interim city manager, interim finance director and community relations manager. She was also the town manager in Boothbay from 1994 to 1999. Smith, who also worked in Oxford, is a graduate of the University of Maine where she received a degree in public administration.

Gerrish announced his retirement in September of 2008. The council has since embarked on an extensive search for his replacement. It hired Municipal Resources Inc. of New Hampshire in the spring.

 

 

 

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Gary Brown, Brunswick’s acting Town Manager, is one of two finalists for the top job. The Town Council is expected to choose a town manager in August (submitted photo).
Laurie Smith, currently the assistant city manager in Auburn, is one of two finalists for top job in Brunswick (Sun Journal file photo).