A new town manager has taken the reigns in Washburn with an eye toward inter-governmental collaboration, while the former manager is settling back into the clerk position.
Donna Turner of Wade started her new job as Washburn town manager during the first week of November, filling the role previously held by Beverly Turner, who is now the clerk.
“I came here in 2000 as town clerk and in 2009 became town manager and agreed to take it for a year,” said Beverly Turner, who stayed on as manager seven years longer than expected.
“Eight years later I decided it’s time to move back to the front office,” she said, adding that she enjoys the social aspects of the clerk position and was also looking to have more time with her family.
Taking over the manager position is Donna Turner, who is equally well-versed in local business and local government. (The two are not related, though their husbands may be distantly, Donna Turner said.)
While holding various positions in the town of Wade, Turner has worked as a financial bookkeeper for area businesses and run the Swap, Buy, Sell Guide with her husband.
“I’m not a newcomer to business by any means and I’m not a newcomer to town government.”
Donna Turner remains the Wade town manager and is serving as Washburn’s interim town manager, but said she’s interested in the job long-term.
The Town Council interviewed three candidates for the job and chose Donna Turner.
“I am interim and we’re going to see how it goes. Possibly it may be advertised after six months,” she said.
Donna Turner hit the ground running in her first week as town manager and said she is eyeing opportunities for Washburn to collaborate with neighboring towns such as Wade.
“Any time you can combine services it usually does result in saving money,” she said.
Since 2009, Wade has contracted with Washburn to handle the smaller town’s motor vehicle registration. And last spring, when Wade’s town clerk resigned due to medical problems, Wade contracted with Washburn for administrative services including tax collection.
Looking ahead, Donna Turner said she thinks roadway maintenance may be the next area where the municipalities can collaborate.
“One of the biggest goals I have is combining more services and hopefully saving more money for both towns,” she said.
“We do share quite a bit already,” she added. “We share the rec center, we share the library, and of course Perham, Wade and Washburn share the same school.”
