ROCKPORT — Rockport Town Manager Rick Bates issued a statement on Thursday, January 24, stating that he will retire from from his position effective June 30. Bates’ statement is as follows:

“I want to formally announce that I will end my full-time employment with the Town of Rockport when my current 3-year agreement ends on June 30th, 2019.

“Rockport is a great Town, and for me, a great way to end this phase of my career and transition into a role where I can use my four decades of experience in community problem solving to advise and assist other communities and organizations.

“The Select Board and I have been in discussions over the past couple of months and I will continue to serve the town in a part time consulting role to follow the library construction through to completion and work on other projects as needed.  We believe that this will allow the best transition period for the next town manager in Rockport.

“When I accepted the role as Town Manager in Rockport in June of 2013, it was to accept a job that I planned to be my last full-time position.  Serving the Town of Rockport has been one of the highlights of a career in public service that began 41 years ago in June of 1977 when I was hired as Parks and Recreation Director in Raymond, NH.

“It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve the Town and its Boards over the past six years. It is a privilege to work with so many hard working and dedicated employees who give above and beyond to serve the taxpayers of Rockport. While I will be leaving my role as Town Manager in Rockport, I will not be leaving the mid-coast. I have made many wonderful friends in the area and intend to remain an active member of the community.” 

Statement from the Rockport Select Board on the upcoming retirement of Town Manager Rick Bates

The Rockport Select Board wishes to thank Town Manager Rick Bates for his dedicated service to the Town over the past six years, and wishes him great happiness as he moves into a new chapter of his life. Rick has accomplished a great deal during his time in Rockport, including the management of several significant infrastructure projects, the updating of many critical policies, and the shepherding of the new Rockport Public Library project. He leaves the town in excellent financial condition.

After much discussion in recent months about Rick’s transition, the board is pleased that he will continue to have a role in Rockport through the next year as a valued consultant, continuing to work on the library project and also on advancing broadband initiatives for the town. These are projects that Rick is passionate about, and he will do a great job for the town. We are also pleased that Rick will be able to assist in the search for Rockport’s next Town Manager, helping to make the transition as smooth as possible.

As dictated by the town charter, the Select Board will be appointing a town manager search committee to assist in finding the best candidate to be Rockport’s next manager. Citizens who are interested in serving on this committee are invited fill out a town committee application which can be obtained at the town office or on the town website. Further details on the timing of the selection of this committee will be available soon.