Staff Writer

 Old Orchard Beach Town Manager Jack Turcotte will leave his position after less than two years on the job.

Turcotte submitted his resignation to the council following its June 21 meeting. The move came as a surprise to the council and town employees.

“It was quite a surprise,” said Town Councilor Sharri MacDonald. “I know he loves Old Orchard Beach and the people here have adopted him as a hometown boy.”

Turcotte, who lives in Arundel, began as town manager in Old Orchard Beach in early 2010 after he served several months as interim manager. He had been superintendent of Sanford schools and served one year as superintendent in Old Orchard before it became part of Regional School Unit 23. 

Turcotte, 64, said his decision to leave was not easy. When he took the position, he considered it a second career.

“I knew at some point this wasn’t going to last forever,” he said.

Turcotte said one of the biggest challenges he faced was the amount of time the job required. In addition to night meetings, he tried to attend weekend events to be part of the community. After a health scare two months ago, he recognized he needed “to slow the pace down,” he said. He got the news two weeks ago that he will have surgery in August to replace a knee he injured years ago.

“I just put the puzzle piece together and said ‘maybe it’s time to wind down,’” he said.

During his time in Old Orchard Beach, Turcotte said he fell in love with the size of the community and the people in it. He said he enjoys being part of a community that is “full of life and positively improving.”

“I’m really going to miss that a lot,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here.”

Turcotte said his message to residents is simple: “Thanks for making me part of your town.”

MacDonald said Turcotte has been a good fit and arrived at a time when the town needed a strong leader.

“I wish he would stay. He’s a good guy,” she said. “He’s the hardest working manager Old Orchard Beach has seen in a very long time. He’s an ambassador for the beach. He will be sadly missed.”

Town Council Chairman Bob Quinn said he “hates to see him go.”

Assistant Town Manager Louise Reid said Turcotte’s resignation “came as a shock to us all.”

“He just felt this was his time to go,” she said. “Jack has done a very good job. He was very dedicated to the position.”

The town council has not yet met to discuss who will take over when Turcotte leaves at the end of July. In the past, the assistant town manager has stepped in as interim manager. Reid said the council likely will discuss the issue Tuesday evening. The council is scheduled to meet in executive session for a personnel matter.

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