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November 20, 2025

With change in council, Gray and town manager part ways

By Peter Van Allen

The town of Gray is looking for its next manager after the resignation of Michael Foley, who took the job in January 2024. 

Gray Town Council approved a separation agreement with Foley earlier this week and named Denise M. Clavette as interim town manager. 

Michael Foley head shot
File Photo
Michael Foley

“While I am proud of the progress we’ve made together, I recognize that with the recently elected Town Council charting a different direction for Gray’s future, this is an appropriate time for me to pursue new professional opportunities that align with my leadership values and goals,” Foley said in his resignation letter shared with town staff and the Town Council.

Foley is credited with advancing the village transformation project; establishing the town’s Economic Development Department; coordinating a fiscal year budget that brought down the mil rate; and bringing greater efficiency the Planning and Code Enforcement Departments.

Manager, mediator, snowplow driver

The job of town manager can be one of the more challenging in local government, and the rate of turnover is indicative of the hot seat many managers willingly take on.

While town managers are in charge of running day-to-day operations in the municipality — overseeing substantial budgets (as well as budget cuts), managing departments and staff, and attending a range of night meetings — they report to the town council, are often the target of criticism from residents and are frequently caught between warring parties or hot-button issues.

At the same time, with staffing shortages, they're often asked to pick up the slack — for instance, Greenville Town Manager Mike Roy can be found at the wheel of a snowplow at times. 

In early 2024, around the same time Foley joined the Gray staff, there were new town managers in Cumberland, Freeport, Yarmouth and Saco, while positions were open in Cape Elizabeth, Brunswick, Madawaska and Carrabassett Valley. In several cases, taking one town's manager job meant leaving another town.

Foley, who had previously served as mayor of Westbrook, is just one example of the rare skill set needed for town manager jobs in Maine. His resume includes positions as public safety dispatcher in Falmouth and as a communications officer for Cumberland County.

The role of economic development director can often be a step toward becoming a town manager. 

Lincoln Merrill and Denise Clavette outdoors in winter.
File photo / Tim Greenway
In 2015, Denise Clavette was head of economic development in Yarmouth, where Lincoln Merrill, CEO of Patriot Insurance Co., planned to build its headquarters.

Steady had at the wheel

Clavette has held economic development jobs in South Berwick, Saco and Yarmouth, and has been assistant city manager in Auburn, as well as director of the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce. 

“Denise was chosen to lead town staff during this transition period because she brings decades of municipal leadership, a proven track record in economic development, and a collaborative approach to public service,” said Town Council Chair Michael Johnson. “Her experience in several communities makes her the ideal person to guide us as we search for Gray’s next permanent town manager.”

With over 30 years of municipal government experience and nearly 15 years dedicated to economic development, Clavette will be tasked with the job of keeping the town moving forward in the interim.

“I look forward to managing the wonderful team we have working for the town of Gray,” said Clavette. “My time with Gray has shown me how wonderful this town is, and I know we will accomplish wonderful things for our community."

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