Peabody Looks to Hire New Planning Director

PEABODY, MA – With the departure of Community Development and Planning Director Karen Sawyer Conard, the search for a replacement is on. Mayor Ted Bettencourt said a formal job posting will go out as soon as possible, with the hope that they city will have a new director in March.

"Karen's departure left a big hole in the city," said Bettencourt. He said her knowledge, personality, and efforts will be missed.

But based on the quality of Conard's work and her success in the position, Bettencourt said they city will look for another candidate with a "dynamic" personality to fill the "extremely important" role. He said City Hall has already gotten calls from people interested in the position.

Conard joined the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission as their new executive director, according to a press release on the MVPC website.

"She brings decades of experience and extensive planning knowledge as well as deep community, government, and business relationships. We are confident she will not only continue but also build upon the strong collaborative and cooperative development efforts of retired Executive Director Dennis DiZoglio," said Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Chairman Robert Lavoie in the statement.

The job posting will come with a salary range. The salary for the position was budgeted at $112,000 when Conard left.

Image via Merrimack Valley Planning Commission