Rec Director Leaving For State Job

Recreation Director Carter Leaving For State Beach Position

HARWICH – Recreation Director Jeff Carter will be leaving his position Memorial Day weekend to start a new job as a beach manager for the state department of conservation and recreation.

Carter has worked in the town recreation department for a decade and served as beach director for eight years. When Carter leaves, assistant director Eric Beebe will take over as interim director, Town Administrator James Merriam said on Monday.

Merriam said there is no immediate plan to fill the recreation director’s position on a permanent basis. He said some of the staff has agreed to take on additional hours during the busy summer season. Merriam said this will allow the present staff to gain more experience.

“It’s a good move for Jeff and a tough loss for the town,” Recreation and Youth Commission Chairman John Mahan said on Monday.

Mahan said he met with the town administrator, Board of Selectmen Chairman Robin Wilkins and the department’s staff last week and the general consensus was “we don’t have to rush into it.” Mahan said he is confident the summer recreation programs will operate smoothly under this management proposal.

Carter said he is leaving town employment May 23 for the newly created position at the state level. He said DCR created six districts throughout the state. He will be beach manager for the southeast region and work out of Scusset. Carter had an active hand in development of a beach management for Harwich during his tenure here.

“I’m excited,” Carter said. “There is a nice pay increase and more responsibility and a different perspective. There are lots of pros that go along with it.”

Beebe has worked as the assistant director for the past two-and-a-half years, Carter said. He also said Susan Fraser, a longtime part-time employee of the department, will be stepping up her hours for the summer.

“They’re definitely willing to put the time in and I think they’ll do a good job,” Carter said. “We’ve also got a lot of experienced help coming back for the summer season, which is great,”

Carter said the recreation department has had a lot of good things happen over the past couple of years, citing the expanded beach parking at Earle Road, improvements to the Brooks Park tennis courts and the addition of a playground there.

5/8/08