SHELBURNE COUNTY, N.S. – Three of Shelburne County’s five municipal units are now searching for Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), after resignations were tendered this spring by Rob Frost, CAO for the Municipality of the District of Barrington, and Dylan Heide, CAO for the Town of Shelburne.
The Municipality of the District of Shelburne has been looking for a CAO since earlier this year, but their hunt could soon be over.
Frost tendered his resignation on May 17, after accepting the position of Deputy CAO with the Municipality of the County of Kings. June 29 is his last day with the Municipality of Barrington.
“I loved my time here in Barrington,” said Frost in an email. “As I said to council, this has been my most favorite job to date. The municipality has so many great opportunities, and we have done so many very positive things in the past two years that will help Barrington see positive growth for many years to come.”
The municipality has been advertising the position on their website since June 13. The first round of interviews is anticipated for August.
Heide gave his notice to Shelburne Town Council on June 18 after serving as CAO for six years. He is leaving to assume the role of CAO in his hometown of Mahone Bay, beginning August 13.
“I’ve had a tremendous experience in Shelburne,” said Heide in a press release. “We’ve had more than our share of challenges over the years, but this town has a dedicated council supported by the best staff team I've had the pleasure to work with, and I know they are prepared for whatever challenges may lie ahead.”
The Town of Shelburne has just begun advertising for the position. Mayor Karen Mattatall said during Heide’s six years with the town, “he has consistently demonstrated his dedication and commitment to our town, always encouraging council to think ahead and be innovative in our approach to providing good governance in the best interest of our residents.
“It is with the greatest regret that I received Dylan’s resignation,” she said. “Dylan has been instrumental and consistent in providing crucial and supportive direction to council that has undoubtedly materialized in Shelburne becoming the only community in Southwestern Nova Scotia that saw growth in our population during the last census. It has been our great fortune to have had access to his knowledge, resolve and respect for the town and its residents during his employment here. Mahone Bay is so extremely fortunate to have this exceptionally intelligent individual as part of their team and it is most definitely our loss.”
Mayor Mattatall thanked Heide for offering to continue to serve on the Town’s Asset Management Committee, “a project that he initiated and will be a model for all of Nova Scotia as we move into the future.”
As for the Municipality of the District of Shelburne, with interviews currently underway with potential candidates for the position, “We are hopeful that we will soon be hiring our new CAO,” said Warden Penny Smith. “It has definitely been a challenge,” she said.
