ROCKPORT — It took two executive sessions behind closed doors, but the Rockport Select Board has chosen from a list of 26 volunteers a committee of seven citizens to help select a new town manager.

They are Kim Graffam, Will Gartley, Peter Hall, Tom Cox, Betsy Saltonstall, Kathleen Meil, and Jan Rosenbaum. Select Board member Tracy Murphy is the liaison to the committee.

Rockport's former town manager Robert Peabody officially departed the office two weeks ago, and Roger Moody, a Knox County Commissioner and Camden's former town manager, stepped in temporarily to help tide the town over until a new manager is hired. The town and Peabody reached a severance/release agreement that was signed Feb. 19.

"We anticipate this to be a nationwide search," said Chapman, referencing the town's recent search for a new fire chief that drew applications from across the country, even Alaska. Select Board member Ken McKinley is currently working with Maine Municipal Association to draft search suggestions and parameters.

Chapman said the decision to go behind closed doors to discuss committee applications was "pretty much a group idea" that was part of the conversation amongst board members when they met two weeks ago to appoint Moody to the temporary, 20-hour per week position.

"The point was raised and everybody nodded that it made sense," he said.

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