EAST SPENCER — Macon Sammons Jr. is stepping down as the town administrator, but he’s not going very far. Sammons is moving into a project manager/coordinator role for the town’s grants and other capital projects.

“It’s time to make that change. We have had such success with grants and capital projects that the business of making sure those run properly and on time and on budget according to the stipulations and guidelines is going to be a major job,” Sammons said.

Sammons added that it seemed like a natural phase for him to step back from the day-to-day affairs of the town and work more directly with the special projects and capital improvements the town is undergoing.

The town is currently looking to fill the position, which Sammons had held for nearly four years. The board met recently with Hartwell Wright of the N.C. League of Municipalities to review and discuss the search process.

Sammons explained the process, which will include the search, interview, selection and negotiation phases in order to find a candidate, may take about six months. He’ll work with the new town administrator to make the transition a smooth one, he said.

He’ll also continue on as town administrator until a suitable candidate is found.

Mayor Barbara Mallett appointed a committee that includes board members Phronice Johnson and Deloris High to work with Sammons to organize and assist in the search for a replacement.

There have been a number of projects and grants the town has received just within the last year including a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant for a housing rehab project. The rehab project is 75 percent complete. The town has also received $2.4 million to repair it’s water/sewer system. The town is also in the midst of the grant process for a greenway project and new entrance to Royal Giants Park.

If the town receives the grants they’ve applied for in addition to the grants the town has already acquired, they could stand to receive a total of $4.47 million.

“It’s a great thing for the town of East Spencer. It shows we are growing. He’s helped us get this far, along with the town board now we are ready to go to another level of government,” said Mayor Barbara Mallett.

Mallett said the town really needs Sammons to be the “eyes on these projects” so that they’ll be able to apply for more grants and take on other economic development opportunities.

“This has really been a great partnership with the town of East Spencer, the town board, staff, the citizens with Mr. Sammons. We’ve come to a point that we are ready to take the next step in local government financing,” Mallett said.

The position to which Sammons is moving into is a first for the town.

A packet has been created and is currently available on the town’s website for details on for prospective candidates. Visit www.townofeastspencer.org for other details.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.