UPDATE: Asst. Town Admin. Hebert Leaving for Topsfield's Top Job

Kellie Hebert, Belmont's assistant Town Administrator for the past two years, will soon have a shorter commute to work as the Lowell resident was selected to be the next Town Administrator in Topsfield, Mass., according to that town's website.

In an article in the Tuesday, Aug. 13 Lawrence (Mass.) Eagle-Tribune, the Topsfield Board of Selectmen voted 3-2 for Hebert with Sean Fitzgerald, the town manager in Plaistow, NH., receiving the other votes. 

"During my tenure in Belmont, I have had the great pleasure to work with many dedicated town employees, officials and residents. I could never thank them enough for their support over the past two years," said Hebert in an email to Belmont Patch.

"The citizens of Belmont are extremely fortunate to have so many great people working on their behalf to make Belmont a great place to live, work and play. I will miss them dearly and thank them for their best wishes as I prepare for this new career challenge," she said.

The town's website said Hebert's final appointment is contingent on contract negotiations.

The Topsfield Selectmen will meet on Monday, Aug. 19 to discuss the matter.

The previous Topsfield Town Manager, Virginia Wilder, who retired at the end of last year, earned $100,000 in her final year on the job. 

Hebert will be stepping into the position with one advantage having worked closely with Topsfield's current Town Moderator, George Hall, who is Belmont's town counsel. 

Hebert was hired as Belmont's assistant Town Administrator in June 2011 after working in Lowell's human resources department. 

With the sudden departure of then Town Administrator Thomas Younger in October, Hebert was placed in charge of the office in January, 2012 after interim Town Administrator Richard Kelliher stepped down after only a couple of months on the job. 

Hebert led the town's budget process in the winter and spring of 2012, winning praise from the Board of Selectmen, Warrant Committee and department heads for her skilled work.

She returned to her assistant position when current Town Administrator David Kale was hired by the Selectmen in June 2012 while continuing to lead the office in the past budget cycle.