Berwick appoints police chief as interim town manager

Berwick’s Police Chief Steps Into Interim Town Manager Role

October 10, 2026 – In a unanimous vote at the town’s Select Board meeting on Oct. 6, Berwick officials named Police Chief Timothy Towne as the interim town manager while the board searches for a permanent replacement. Towne, who has spent more than three decades in the town’s police department, will hold both positions concurrently for the time being.

“​I’m walking into things, you know, that have been taking place for quite some time, so getting caught up to speed on things is a little challenging,” Towne told the board and later to reporters. “I’m doing a lot of reading, a lot of research, so I can get informed enough to make sure things continue as they should.”

Towne’s appointment follows the resignation of former Town Manager Arthur Capello, who left to become a city administrator in Missouri. Capello’s departure left a sudden vacancy in the town’s chief administrative office, prompting the Select Board to seek a quick solution. “It’s not easy to find a town manager that’s willing to just walk through the door,” Towne said. “I took the interim job simply because there’s a need for it.”

The board’s decision to appoint a police chief to the role was driven by Towne’s deep familiarity with local governance and his long service record. He began in Berwick as a reserve officer in 1993, then served as detective, sergeant, and became the department’s chief in 2001. His tenure has seen the department evolve into a modern, community‑focused force.

“We just want to keep it stable for the people that work here,” Towne told reporters. “The town is progressing very well. There’s a lot of things going on in town, and you don’t like to see things have to take a back seat.” He added that he would rely on support from department colleagues to manage the dual responsibilities, though he acknowledged it would keep him exceptionally busy.

While overseeing the town’s administrative functions, Towne is also preparing for the upcoming state House election on Nov. 3. He is running as the Republican nominee for District 149, a seat that currently belongs to Democrat Tiffany Roberts, who is term‑limited. In the two‑way race, his opponent is Mallory Cook, South Berwick Town Council Vice Chair and the Democratic nominee. District 149 covers portions of North Berwick and South Berwick.

Towne has expressed a “soft agreement” with the town that if he wins the state House seat, he will step down from his interim town manager post. “I just want to keep it stable for the people that work here,” he said. “I’m happy to help for now, but that I have a soft agreement with the town come November.”

The Select Board has announced that it will engage a recruiting firm to locate a suitable candidate for the permanent town manager position. The board’s Oct. 6 meeting concluded with a statement that the search would be conducted as swiftly as possible, with an emphasis on finding someone who can maintain continuity and support the town’s ongoing projects.

Towne’s dual role places him at the center of Berwick’s municipal operations as the town prepares for a significant election cycle. His long-standing service, combined with his willingness to step into a vacant executive position, reflects a practical approach to ensuring leadership stability during a period of change.