Hancock Department of Public Works Director Mia Lee has resigned.
Lee, in an interview Monday morning, said she submitted her resignation on March 13. Her last day will be on April 12.
“I’ve developed some really good working relationships, I’ve built a great team here in public works,” Lee said. “The guys working in the department are really hardworking. Leaving them will be my biggest regret. The town is lucky to have them.”
Lee declined to give a reason for her departure but said she has accepted a position with the city of Manchester’s water department.
Lee was hired in July 2017 to take over for long-time DPW Director Kurtis Grassett, who retired in July 2016 after nearly 20 years with the town.
Shortly after Lee was hired, three of the four members of the highway department quit.
Grassett was elected to the select board after defeating incumbent Erik Spitzbarth at the polls on March 12.
Selectman John Jordan said Monday he was surprised when Lee tendered her resignation.
“She’s done an excellent job and has left us with a good staff,” Jordan said. “She helped get us through the floods … she had our full support.”
Town officials plan to put together a small search committee to find Lee’s replacement, Jordan said.
In the interim, Linda Paquette, administrative assistant for the town’s police department, has been brought in to complete some of the administrative tasks required of the position.
A work schedule has been created to line up DPW projects out to September, Lee said.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com.