Towns community, business leaders disappointed over departure of CAO

Barry Carroll may have only been at the helm of town hall for three years but the Sackville CAO's recent resignation has left many community and business leaders frustrated and unsettled over his sudden decision to step down.
"I was disappointed to hear of Barry's resignation," said Robert Lyon, chair of Sackville's downtown revitalization committee as well as a local business owner.
Lyon said he had worked with Carroll on a number of occasions on various projects and was impressed with the professionalism and commitment shown by the CAO.
"I really respected the work he did and what he brought to the table," he said.
Lyon said he's specifically concerned over the large number of CAOs that have come and gone through the doors of town hall over the past 15 years and is questioning why Sackville can't seem to retain its top manager.
"I just wonder if we are still going to be able to attract the right people here to apply for the job," he said. "And I'll admit I'm concerned about what the next CAO will bring to the table and how long he or she will stick around."
With each new CAO comes a new vision and a new direction, and that has become a difficult challenge for everyone involved, said Lyon.
"There's no continuity . . . as a community, we need more stability."
Lyon said Carroll has been supportive of the downtown revitalization committee's efforts and was an advocate for improved infrastructure and beautification initiatives in the downtown core, as well as working on other important community projects.
"In the last three years that Barry has been CAO, we've seen a number of projects really move forward. From tourism to the water tower to downtown revitalization, he's done a lot for this community," he said.
During his time here, Carroll has played a key role in a variety of initiatives, including: helping to fix the town's water woes; securing funding for new projects; helping to secure new businesses for the community; working with the planning commission to see a new municipal plan approved; completing some internal reorganization; and spearheading the new municipal building/emergency services project.
Lyon said his departure certainly comes at a bad time.
"With a new ($12-million emergency services) building going up next summer, who is going to be taking that over?"
That is a question town officials have yet to answer but councillors say they will discuss that issue during upcoming meetings of the personnel committee, which has been established to determine how to fill the CAO's position, both in the short-term and long-term.
Coun. Bruce Phinney said he also has major concerns with Carroll's decision to resign and was full of praise for the CAO he has worked with over the past three years.
"I'm sad to see him go . . . I think he brought a professionalism to his job that I can't even begin to describe," he said.
Following his resignation, which is effective this Friday, Aug. 7, Carroll will be heading to Nova Scotia where he has taken on the CAO post in Guysborough, a municipality of approximately the same population as Sackville. He is expected to begin his new role in mid-August.