Changing of the guard: Webb to succeed Anderson as Hampton Falls town administrator

HAMPTON FALLS — Town Administrator Karen Anderson is retiring at the end of the month, and a familiar face is ready to step into her role.

Anderson announced her resignation last month, citing family reasons. She will hand the reins over to her administrative assistant, Rachel Webb.

Webb has worked with the town’s zoning and planning boards, as well as with Anderson since she was hired a few years ago. She has been working closely with Anderson for the past few months to ensure a smooth transition.

According to Anderson, “(Webb’s) attention to details and ability to manage multiple tasks at one time made her a great fit for the role” of town administrator.

Webb finds municipal government work fulfilling and said she especially enjoys small communities.

“I really enjoy helping people,” Webb said. “Working in small communities, I feel you can really make a difference and get to know the people you meet. It’s very dynamic.”

While selectmen are sad to see Anderson leave, they are delighted with the prospect of working with Webb, who’s been a steady presence at Town Hall working alongside Anderson.

“Rachel has been phenomenal,” said Selectman Mark Lane. “She’s just really good.”

Given the challenging job market for small municipalities, Lane and Selectman Lou Gargiulo said they feel “blessed” Webb is willing to step up into the town administrator’s position immediately. Not only is Webb easy to work with and well-prepared by Anderson, but they said she has the disposition, work ethic, educational background, and employment experience to do the job.

Webb grew up in different parts of New England and New Jersey before heading to New York’s Sarah Lawrence College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in urban and regional planning. Following a year-long internship with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, she studied regional planning at a graduate level at the University of Massachusetts.

Webb started her career as a planner with the city of Nashua for six years, then worked in various aspects of the real estate industry. This is all while she and her husband settled in nearby Newburyport and raised their two, now adult, daughters.

Webb has high praise for Anderson’s skills and knowledge.

“Karen has such a wealth of experience from her career,” Webb said. “She has a level-headed and practical approach that’s very refreshing. We have a co-operative town hall. She’s very she’s good at bringing people together.”

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Anderson retiring for a second time

When Anderson agreed to help her hometown for six weeks filling in as temporary town administrator in 2021, she wasn’t expecting it to become a permanent job.

Anderson had already retired once from municipal work in 2019 after serving as town administrator in Greenland for 13 years and 14 years previously in Hampton as the administrative assistant to the town manager. She began her career in municipal work in 1990 as secretary to Seabrook’s Planning Board.

Because of the state’s retirement rules, Anderson was careful to work part-time in Hampton Falls, but she still got a lot done.

“Karen’s done an outstanding job,” Gargiulo said. “She’s been terrific. The board works so well together with her. She’s very professional and knowledgeable.”

Lane said although Gargiulo and Selectman Ed Beattie were familiar with Anderson before she arrived at Town Hall, he didn’t know her. But he quickly grew to appreciate her skills and experience.

“Karen went well above and beyond in working with the state and getting grants,” Lane said. “The town was very lucky to have her. She’s so good, so knowledgeable; she made the job of being a selectman much easier.”

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Anderson said she felt welcomed and appreciated from the moment she arrived at Town Hall.

Since economic development was always a focus of hers, Anderson said she’s pleased with the work the town has done during her tenure to enhance the potential of the Route 1 corridor.

“In 2022, the corridor was approved as an Economic Revitalization Zone by (the state), opening up opportunities for local businesses to get state tax credits,” she said. “In 2023, the voters approved the adoption of Economic Development Tax Exemptions for new commercial construction or renovation to encourage property owners to invest in their commercial properties without having the full tax impact in the first year.”

Anderson also encouraged strong, transparent relationships between selectmen, various boards, committees and the town’s employees.

“I ... can with certainty say that the Board of Selectmen I have worked with for the past three years is one of the hardest working and dedicated boards I have worked with,” Anderson said.

Family needs are behind her decision to retire again, and she will be leaving for Florida soon, although she plans to keep a home in New Hampshire.

Those who would like to say goodbye and wish Anderson well can bring a favorite dish to Town Hall for a potluck party in her honor on Tuesday, May 21, from 5 to 7 p.m.

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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Hampton Falls change of guard: Anderson retires as town administrator