CCB MEDIA PHOTO: Peter Johnson-Staub
FALMOUTH – Yarmouth Assistant Town Administrator Peter Johnson-Staub is leaving his position to become the new assistant administrator in Falmouth.
His departure will be a major loss for Yarmouth, which is now left without a town administrator and assistant manager.
Falmouth selectmen made their pick Monday night.
Johnson-Staub had been caught up in a political fight in Yarmouth, where he was passed up for the administrator’s job earlier this year.
Selectmen Michael Stone and James Quirk refused to vote for Johnson-Staub, despite overwhelming support from the community and other town leaders. A 4/5’s vote was needed.
It’s unclear what Yarmouth selectmen will do about Johnson-Staub’s departure. They had already scheduled interviews for town administrator candidates on November 19.
When the board was forced to conduct a new search for an administrator, Johnson-Staub said he would not be a candidate again.
“Although I appreciate the support I have received from Yarmouth residents and staff and I continue to believe I would be an effective town administrator for Yarmouth, the appointment decision rests solely with the Board of Selectmen,” he said this past June.
Yarmouth’s town administrator search has been in limbo for months. Johnson-Staub and another candidate were the two finalists in the search completed earlier this year.
Selectmen Erik Tolley, Tracy Post and Norman Holcomb supported Johnson-Staub, while Stone and Quirk wanted John Salamone of Connecticut, who later dropped out of consideration.
Voters at the May town meeting rejected an article seeking money for a new search, and in an overwhelming non-binding vote, said they wanted Johnson-Staub.
Quirk and Stone previously said they would not be swayed by the will of the residents.
In Falmouth, Johnson-Staub will replace Heather Harper, who left for a job with the county earlier this year.
By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com News Director
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