By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

HARRISON — Brad Plante of Poland is returning to familiar managerial ground.

Plante has been hired to serve as Harrison’s interim town manager as the town searches for a full-time replacement following Cass Newell’s resignation last month.

“He brings a lot of experience as interim town manager in a number of towns in the area including Sebago and Norway,” Select Board Vice Chairman Phil Devlin said. “He was also the town manager in Harrison about 15 years ago.”

Plante left Harrison in September 2010. When the town sought candidates to fill the vacant manager’s position, it received 23 interested in the full-time post, and 11 looking to serve as an interim.

“With his familiarity with Harrison and his experiences handling many municipal governance transitions, we think, by sharing his experiences, he will be able to reduce some of the excessive and emotional negative content that had permeated local social media recently,” Devlin added. “The Select Board feels confident he will help us effectively bridge the gap until a new town manager is found later this year.”

Plante formerly was town manager of Poland, as well as Rockland, Mass. and Hampstead, Md. He was an interim manager in Buckfield twice.

Plante’s background includes being employed as a Human Resources director at Boch Enterprises in Massachusetts, and is retired United States Army, which he held several positions including Military Police. He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, and studied at Jacksonville State University and University State of New York.

Plante has served as a Budget Committee and Select Board member.