Council confirms Sarah Bennett as Lisbon’s permanent town manager in 4–3 vote

The Lisbon Falls Town Council voted 4–3 on April 7 to appoint Assistant Town Manager Sarah Bennett as the town’s next permanent town manager, effective April 13, 2026, and authorized the council chair to sign an employment agreement.

The council chair said the appointment followed multiple executive‑session interviews and a “Super Saturday” of seven back‑to‑back candidate interviews. “Over the last several weeks, the council has been meeting in executive session for hours upon hours…and the ultimate result is our own assistant town manager, Sarah Bennett, was ultimately agreed upon by the majority of the council,” the chair said.

The motion to appoint was moved and seconded from the floor and approved by roll call. The clerk recorded four yes votes and three no votes; the chair announced the result as a 4–3 decision in favor of appointment.

Why it matters: the town-manager role directs municipal staff and shapes budget and policy execution. Council members who voted in favor cited familiarity with Bennett’s work and continuity for the organization; those opposed expressed preference for other candidates.

Councilors offered brief remarks after the vote. One council member who opposed the appointment said the council had many strong candidates and that narrow majority decisions are difficult, while supporters said they would back the new manager to ensure a smooth transition.

What’s next: Bennett’s effective start date is April 13, 2026, and the council authorized the chair to execute the employment agreement. The council said further administrative and onboarding steps will follow in the coming weeks.