Winthrop hires new town manager who was previously Belgrade’s top administrator

The operations director for the 7 Lakes Alliance and former Belgrade town manager has been hired to be the top administrator for the town of Winthrop.

Anthony Wilson, 55, will start the job as Winthrop’s new town manager on Monday, June 5. Wilson is taking over from interim manager Steve Eldridge and former town manager Jeff Kobrock, who resigned in February while citing harassment from some town residents upset about a controversial mooring ordinance.

Anthony Wilson, former Belgrade town manager, has been hired to be the new town manager of Winthrop. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal file

Wilson said in a statement that he’s been “mightily impressed by the passion Winthrop’s citizenry has for its community and by how dynamic the staff is.”

“I can’t wait to get started working with both of them,” Wilson said. “Like all small towns in Maine, Winthrop faces some challenges. I’m convinced that by working together creatively and smartly, we can make a difference on issues such as street improvements, village revitalization, protecting the lakes and controlling the mill rate.”

The council voted unanimously to hire Wilson, according to Eldridge, whose last day as interim manager will be June 2. Wilson will be paid an annual salary of $112,000.

“Anthony was an excellent find,” Eldridge said Friday. “I think he has the right temperament to move us forward.”

Wilson said he hopes that as town manager he “can be part of effectively and efficiently providing a complement of public services that citizens recognize as being valuable, well-delivered and contributing to the quality of life in Winthrop.”

“No one enjoys paying taxes,” he continued. “But when taxpayers see those dollars being put to good use, it takes the sting out of writing that check. In short, we want the gem that is the Town of Winthrop to sparkle just a bit brighter.”

Wilson, a lifelong Texan before coming to Maine in 2019, has been director of communications and operations for the Belgrade-based 7 Lakes Alliance for the past year. That nonprofit conservation group is focused on preserving and protecting the chain of seven lakes in the Belgrade area and the woodlands that surround them, warding off threats such as algae, invasive plants and encroaching development.

Prior to joining the conservation group, Wilson served as Belgrade’s town manager for about three years, from July 2019 to June 2022.

Before those Maine roles, Wilson was the communications director for the city of San Angelo, Texas. He has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Texas at Tyler, a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M University and he completed a two-year certified public manager program from Texas State University.

Wilson said he’s already been involved in the Winthrop budgeting process.

“It felt like I clicked with the staff and the Town Council from the jump,” Wilson said in the statement. “Both groups offered a clear vision of what they’re seeking in a town manager, and I think that synced with my experience, my approach and my personality. With each conversation, I grew more excited about the possibilities and the prospect of joining Winthrop’s team.”