By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

Bill Herman reported to work on Tuesday, Oct. 11, as the first town administrator in Auburn's history.

The 49-year-old has worked as a press secretary for former Gov. John Sununu and as a reporter for The Union Leader. For the past 10 years, Herman was the town administrator in New Durham, a town with about half the population of Auburn's.

"I'm looking forward to working in Auburn," said Herman on his first day at the town hall. "It's a great community."

Herman currently lives in Concord, though for 30 years he lived in Weare, where he was town moderator and a selectman for 12 years. He took his first town administrator position in Milton before moving on to New Durham.

"I've been on both sides of the table as an elected official and as an appointed official," said Herman.

Herman will be paid $61,000 per year. In March, voters approved the town administrator position with a six-month salary of up to $45,000.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Harland Eaton said more than 20 applicants for the position were reviewed.

"There were a lot of good candidates," he said.

Eaton pointed to Herman's experience both as a selectman and as a town administrator as among determining factors.

"He's a real professional and we thought he would fit well within the structure of our small town," said Eaton. "Also his intelligence came through very clearly."

Eaton said the addition of Herman is certainly welcome by Auburn's three selectmen.

"We can focus on what we need to do - run a town," he said.

Herman said the specific duties of the town administrator position may take some time to develop, as he settles in with the selectmen and the rest of the town hall staff.

Herman said one of the things that drew him to apply for the job was that it was a brand-new position.

"That particularly attracted me," he said. "It's a big step for a community."