LITCHFIELD — Selectmen didn’t have to look very far to find the town’s next manager.

Trudy Lamoreau, who has worked in the town office for 11 years and since June has served as interim town manager, was appointed to the position permanently on Jan. 1. Lamoreau was given a two-year contract that will pay her $45,000 per year.

“We have been 100 percent satisfied with the job she has done,” said Selectwoman Rayna Leibowitz. “It was just a good fit.”

Lamoreau was named interim town manager on July 2 to fill the opening left by the departure of Michael Byron, whose contract was terminated during a selectmen meeting on June 25. Byron, an Augusta city council member, said after the firing that selectmen told him they were unhappy with the way he prioritized work that needed to be done, but he felt he had done a good job for the town.

Lamoreau, who was the office manager and deputy town clerk, was appointed to serve as the deputy tax collector during the June meeting. The board named her interim town manager a few weeks later.

Leibowitz said Lamoreau was a natural to fill the position permanently, which saved selectmen from the expense and uncertainty of doing background checks and conducting interviews. Leibowitz praised Lamoreau’s people skills, organization and attention to detail.

“Those are three attributes that are really important in that position,” Leibowitz said.

She said the only feedback she’s gotten about Lamoreau from the community has been positive.

“I have not gotten a single negative comment,” Leibowitz said.

Lamoreau, who has lived in Litchfield since the 1980s and served on the school board from 1990 to 2009, said she has a vested interest in helping the town succeed.

“I care about the people in this community,” she said. “I care about the town and like being part of it. I understand the pulse of the community. I feel that’s important.”

Lamoreau continued to fill her duties as an office manager while serving as interim town manager. Any reservations she had about filling the town manager position permanently evaporated with experience.

“As time went on, with each passing month, and different issues that arose, I became more comfortable and became more confident,” Lamoreau said. “I think it’s worked out well so far.”

Craig Crosby — 621-5642 ccrosby@centralmaine.com

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