Atkinson's new administrator plans to stick around

ARTICLE SUBMISSION
From the Eagle Tribune;

Atkinson's new administrator plans to stick around
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com

ATKINSON — After a few years of constant turnover, Atkinson may have found its long-term solution for town administrator.

Philip Smith Jr., who was hired for the job last month, said he has no plans to leave town anytime soon.

"Everything you can want in a job is here," Smith said.

After 25 years as a police officer, Smith, 45, said he's still learning the ropes after less than a month in the post.

Prior to being hired in Atkinson, Smith was the police chief in Alton, another small New Hampshire community in the Lakes Region.

Every day's schedule is different, Smith said, and, at the end of the day, he's guaranteed to fall asleep faster than he ever expected.

As a police chief, Smith managed about 15 officers. Atkinson employs 140 people, but only 13 of them have full-time jobs.

"It's a small town. Why is there so much to do?" Smith said.

Part of the reason Smith has a full schedule every day is because the town was without an administrator for eight months before he was hired.

Prior to hiring Smith, Atkinson went through two administrators in a year. The last long-term administrator was Russ McAllister, who worked for the town from 2004 to 2008.

While the town conducted yet another search for an administrator, administrative assistant Barbara Snicer took over many of the administrator's responsibilities. To reward her, the selectmen unanimously agreed to give her a $5,000 bonus last week.

"I can't imagine how she did it all herself," Smith said.

Snicer represents all the people Smith has met in town so far, he said, hardworking and always willing to help him learn his way around town.

"Everyone tries to make this town better," he said.

His desk is right next to the door to the selectmen's office, where any resident can pop their head in to say hello or voice a concern.

That's been one of the best things about the job so far, Smith said, who believes one of his strengths is working with people.

No matter what the problem, Smith said, he will listen and find an answer as best he can.

"They're going to get a pretty good response," he said.

He also said he's not afraid former administrators were forced out of town. One key to working in a small town is working with a competent Board of Selectmen, Smith said.

"I get along very well with all of them," he said of the three-man board.

After two years of driving more than an hour to work — longer during snowstorms, Smith said he's happy his new job is only four miles from his Salem home.

The extra time allows him to spend more time with his family and to attend his children's sporting events and activities.

"It's time to take care of team one," he said.