By Gillian Graham
Staff Writer

Mary Ann Conroy said she is leaving her job as head of the Old Orchard Beach Public Works Department to work in a more “professional atmosphere.”
Conroy said she will end her four-year tenure as the public works director at the end of the month to take the same position in Kittery. She said she had a “tough” relationship with Old Orchard Beach town councilors, who are “involved in every detail of public works.”
Conroy said the council’s involvement became “unmanageable” and “detrimental” to the department. She said it was hard to work in an environment where the council’s involvement “goes beyond micro-managing.”
Town council chairman Sharri MacDonald said Conroy’s departure came as a surprise to councilors, who didn’t know she was looking to leave the town.
“I thought everything was fine,” MacDonald said.
MacDonald refutes Conroy’s claims the council is too involved in the public woks department. She said councilors have “absolutely not” acted inappropriately and have no direct contact with Conroy.
MacDonald said councilors asked tough questions of Conroy during the budget process because the department has the biggest budget in town.
“I think we were doing what’s in the best interest of Old Orchard Beach,” she said.
MacDonald said Conroy “has done a lot of good” for the town but doesn’t understand why she is casting blame on the council. She said Conroy has never approached her to discuss concerns. She said the council recently invested $15,000 in human resources training to improve public works department morale in response to concerns from three employees.
“We respect that department and we want to invest in what this department does for the town,” she said.
MacDonald said she wishes Conroy the best and hopes change will continue to improve the department.
Assistant Town Manager V. Louise Reid said she is sad to see Conroy leave the department.
“I have received several calls from citizens disappointed that her professionalism and expertise will not longer be displayed here in Old Orchard Beach. She has accomplished many great projects in her time here and she will be sorely missed,” Reid said.
Though she is headed south to work, Conroy said she will still live in Old Orchard Beach. She said she will miss the “great crew” at public works and residents she interacted with in town.
“The residents have been great. That I will miss,” she said.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.