BY SUSIE CURRIE — Even as councilmembers inch closer to hiring a new city administrator, two more department heads are leaving – including the one in charge of finding new hires.
Chris Vermillion, the city’s first human resources director, is leaving his post after a year. Vermillion, who retired from U.S. Army in 1990, had been tasked with finding a city administrator, city clerk and director of public works. His retirement from the city is effective on March 1.
Acting Public Works Director Julia McTague’s last day will be two weeks earlier, on February 15. She’ll be taking a job in the University of Maryland bursar’s office. McTague joined the city staff in 2005, as an administrative assistant in the Department of Public Works. She also worked as an assistant to then-City Clerk Doug Barber before being named to her current post last March.
At press time, McTague’s replacement had not been named.
The next likely director-level hire will be city administrator, a post without a full-time permanent director since Gregory Rose departed in October 2011. City Treasurer Elaine Stookey is the acting city administrator.
