Old Orchard Beach hires new town manager

Timothy Pellerin has been named the next town manager of Old Orchard Beach.

The Town Council approved Pellerin for the position at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting. He has been hired under a two-year contract. His annual salary will begin at $142,000 and will increase to $150,000 after a six-month probationary period.

Pellerin is currently the town manager of South Berwick. Pellerin began his career in public service in 1980, as a firefighter/EMT in Brunswick, according to a press release from the town. He later worked as a firefighter in Portland and as Deputy Fire Chief in Westbrook. Pellerin also served as Lincoln County's director of emergency management and 911 communications, town manager/Fire Chief of Rangely, and town manager of Harrison.

He will replace Diana Asanza, who is retiring. Pellerin will begin the position on June 1, and Asanza will retire on July 3. This timing will allow a smooth transition of operations, said Town Council Chairman Shawn O’Neill.

"Tim brings years of experience in local government, and we are fortunate to have him step into this role. I speak for all council members, who unanimously supported Tim through the hiring process, when I say that he will be an exceptional leader for our community," said O'Neill. "His depth of knowledge, steady leadership style, and dedication to public service make him the right person to guide the Town forward. We look forward to working with him as he begins this new chapter with us."

Pellerin thanked the Town Council for its support and said Asanza had “left a great foundation to build on.”

“My goal is to work with the Town Council, the department heads, the citizens, and the whole town to help improve the quality of life in Old Orchard Beach and make it a great place to continue to be,” he said.

Pellerin said he has family in the area and has made many trips to Old Orchard beach over the past 60 years, since he was a young boy.

“Being selected as the next town manager for Old Orchard is like coming home,” he said.

He said he felt welcomed in Old Orchard Beach and he was very excited to get started as town manager.

Asanza has worked for the town of Old Orchard Beach for 14 years. She was hired as the finance director in 2012 and became town manager in 2021.

"Diana has been an outstanding leader and a dedicated employee," said O'Neill. "Her professionalism and collaborative efforts have brought Town operations to a new level of cohesiveness. We are incredibly grateful for her commitment and wish her the very best in this next chapter."

Asanza said she was proud of the Town Council and staff and the town had prospered to a thoughtful, collaborative approach to budgeting and planning.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.