By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
Special to the Eagle Times
NEWPORT — Julie Magnuson, Newport’s Planning and Zoning Administrator will be leaving her position on May 4.
Her last business day on the job will be Friday. Magnuson will be on vacation during her final week.
When the Town of Newport’s new budget year starts on July 1, the position of Planning and Zoning administrator has been eliminated, Magnuson said.
At a recent meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager Hunter Rieseberg reviewed plans on how the planning and zoning jobs will be handled on a trial basis for the next year.
Contacted by telephone, Magnuson said she was “really devastated” when she was informed earlier that her current position at 40 hours a week was going to be cut back to 24 hours weekly.
“My benefits would be going away July 1 and I can’t live on 24 hours a week,” Magnuson stated. “I’m leaving out of necessity.”
Magnuson said when informed of the decision to cut back the hours of her job she asked if they could go to 32 hours a week, thus allowing her to retain her benefits.
“I was told that wouldn’t happen,” she said.
“I’m very bitter about this and think it’s a terrible idea,” the 17-year veteran stated.
“I think I’ve been very, very good at my job being friendly, helpful and courteous to the citizens of Newport, the business community and my coworkers,” she emphasized.
Magnuson she has a new job in the private sector.
“I’m really excited about my next venture. I’ve landed on my feet,” she related. “There will be no night meetings,” she noted.
Magnuson was originally hired as Planning and Zoning coordinator and then advanced to Planning and Zoning administrator later in her Newport career.
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