Matt Mansur is new Gilford Parks & Rec director

GILFORD — Matt Mansur, the town's new parks and recreation director, started his role last week, and was introduced publicly at the selectboard meeting Nov. 12.

“I am excited,” Mansur said at the meeting. “I’ve been here a few days and have met a lot of people. I think we have a good team here, and I’m looking forward to learning more, and meeting more people in the town.”

According to Town Administrator Scott Dunn, Mansur takes the spot left vacant by Brittni Stewart, who he said left to pursue other ventures.

“Matt has applied previously and was well regarded, and when an opening came up, I asked if he was still interested, and he was,” Dunn said.

The selectboard approved Mansur’s hiring in a non-public session for a starting salary of $79,000 per year. He started on Nov. 10, and said that fellow employees in the parks and recreation office have been assisting with the transition.

“I’ve been fortunate that Sue King and Matt Saulnier have been really helpful,” Mansur said.

Mansur grew up in Concord, currently lives in Belmont, and was most recently the assistant director of parks and facilities in Laconia. Not only does he know the Lakes Region, he already has ties to Gilford, as one of the high school football team’s coaches.

Mansur was in the same round of applicants as Stewart when she was hired two years ago, and Dunn said the previous choice was a narrow one. Mansur was a finalist who was interviewed by a seven-member hiring panel.

“It was a very close race then, and a tough decision, but everyone really thought he was a great candidate,” Dunn said.

Dunn is happy to have Mansur on board, saying he values his experience working on the waterfronts in Laconia, as well as time working with special assignments, including his recent effort helping in the assembly of the Laconia Pumpkin Festival.

Mansur arrived at the selectboard meeting directly from a Gilford Youth Basketball coaches meeting, also held at the town offices, showing he was already getting his feet wet in the new job.

“I wanted to jump in there and meet some of the coaches,” Mansur said. “I am really looking forward to anything with our youth sports.”

It's a busy time for Mansur to be settling into the role, as the flooding of the ice rink is right around the corner. The rink is currently undergoing a facelift with new sideboards being installed, and in the spring, will be lined and surfaced for pickleball.

This is a project Dunn has been excited about, saying it takes a facility formerly used in one season, to one the public can take advantage of year-round. Dunn told the selectboard the town is fortunate that Mansur has experience putting down liners and making ice.

Mansur anticipates the upgrade to the rink will be huge for recreation in Gilford.

“I’m really looking forward to having that going,” Mansur said after the meeting. “Pickleball in the summer seasons, and the ice rink in the freezing, winter seasons, will provide more spots for people to recreate. That’s always our goal.”