BATH

The Bath City Council decided on Wednesday to make Interim City Manager Peter Owen’s position permanent.

Owen was appointed as the interim manager when former manager Bill Giroux resigned last summer after 11 years in the post.

Owen served as the public works director for the city prior to accepting the interim position. Owen, who lives in Brunswick, was not seriously considering staying on until the requirement to live in Bath was changed.

“That helped change my opinion. I think my knowledge base of the city, and my 18 years in public works will help me do this job,” Owen said at Wednesday’s city council meeting.

Owen’s appointment was discussed in executive sessions prior to Wednesday’s meeting, and the hiring process was put off while the city pursued a change to the city charter. That change to the charter allowed the council to determine whether any specific city manager had to live in Bath.

City councilors acknowledged the benefit of avoiding a long hiring process.

“I know from a councilors standpoint this gives us some breathing room, going into this year we were looking at a long process,” said Councilor Sean Paulhus.

With the removal of Owen’s interim tag, the council expects a comfortable transition. Councilors pointed to his knowledge of the city and experience in public works.

“It’s really convenient to have someone that’s been so intimately involved in the infrastructure of the city,” said City Council Chairwoman Mari Eosco. “It’s more than hitting the ground running.”

The city council also passed an ordinance to change the city manager position to a two-year contract. In the past, the position ran on a year-to-year contract. Owen has stated that two years was enough time for himself and the council to evaluate performance.

Also on Wednesday, the council approved a liquor license for Bath Brewing Co., located at 141 Front St. The company expects to open in late January.

chris@timesrecord.com