Ashland town manager is leaving for Aroostook transportation job

Ashland will soon start the search for a new leader after Town Manager Cyr Martin announced he will leave the post Aug. 8.

Martin has served for seven years as town manager and police chief simultaneously, and 20 years as police chief. Even though he’s stepping down as town manager, he will stay on as chief until Dec. 31, he said Thursday.

“I have an officer going to the academy in a couple of weeks, and if I step down I’m worried we’ll be so shorthanded they’ll close the police department,” he said.

His worries make sense. Aroostook County has lost several police departments in the past few years, including Van Buren in 2021 and Limestone in 2023. Most recently, Washburn residents voted to close their station due to finances and lack of qualified personnel. Martin said he will lead Ashland’s force until they have a chance to hire new personnel.

Doing both municipal management and law enforcement has been hectic, he said. To compound that, he also served as Washburn’s interim police chief for four years, ending Feb. 29.

“I think it’s time for a little less stress in my life,” he said. “I’ve been doing two jobs for quite some time now, chief for 20 years and town manager for seven years.”

He intends to handle police administrative duties, with Officer Skylar Paradis patrolling. If Ashland hires a new chief before Dec. 31, Martin will end his tenure accordingly, he said.

Martin said he wanted to do something more community related, and he’ll do just that when he takes the helm of the Aroostook Regional Transportation System in Presque Isle. He was recently hired as the organization’s executive director.

Former executive director Micah Desmond no longer works there, office staff said. No other information was available.

Martin has notified Ashland’s town council that they need to appoint an interim manager soon and begin the search process. He doubts they’ll find a single person to be police chief, too, because doing the two jobs at once is so hectic.

As of Thursday, the council had not appointed an interim leader, he said.

Ashland Town Council Chair Tyler Michaud did not immediately return a request for comment.

Martin said he’s excited about his new venture and being able to serve more of the Aroostook community. The transportation group serves towns across The County.

“I think it’s an excellent program and I think it will be right up my alley,” he said. “I’ll be applying for some grants for them, and getting more clientele and services to The County.”