Portsmouth's longest serving city manager now working in Claremont

PORTSMOUTH — Former longtime City Manager John Bohenko is now serving as the interim city manager in Claremont.

Bohenko, who served 22 years in Portsmouth’s top position before retiring in 2019, began his 30-hour a week job as Claremont’s interim city manager on Monday, June 20.

Claremont Mayor Dale Girard said having someone with Bohenko’s experience in the interim position as the city looks to hire a permanent city manager “has been instrumental in helping us with day-to-day operations.”

“John is working to try to move our community in a positive direction,” Girard said during an interview Tuesday.

The city’s last permanent city manager stepped down in January, Girard said, and the City Council has not been able to find a suitable permanent manager since then.

“Again it’s just the number of applicants are very slim out there at the moment,” Girard said.

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He blames the small number of candidates for the city manager position on how tough the job is, how many hours it entails and many potential candidates have aged out of the job market.

“What I’ve also heard … is back in 2020 with the pandemic we had the great retirement where many people just decided to step away,” Girard said.

Claremont officials reached out to Municipal Resources Inc. (MRI) when their previous interim city manager was reaching the end of his tenure, and that led to Bohenko being hired, Girard said.

“The contract we have is through Municipal Resources Inc. There is no end date, but we have a two-week option at any time to cancel,” he said. Bohenko works directly for Municipal Resources Inc., Girard and Bohenko said.

“Municipal Resources, Inc. tailors services to meet the specific needs of local communities and focuses on providing innovative and creative solutions to the problems and issues facing local governments,” according to the company’s website.

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The Claremont City Council is hopeful to be able to hire a permanent city manager “in the next six months,” Girard said, adding, “Maybe I’m being a little optimistic.”

For his part, Bohenko said, “Municipal Resources reached out to me and indicated there was a need for an interim city manager in Claremont.”

“The timeframe seemed to work for me and I’m hoping to be here until they’re able to find a permanent city manager,” Bohenko said Tuesday. “I’m working with the department heads and I’m trying to help out as best as I can.”

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Bohenko is driving from Portsmouth – where he lives – a few days a week and also working remotely a couple of days, he said.

“I’m not driving every day,” he added.

Asked how it feels to be back in municipal government after being retired, Bohenko said, “I’m still really in a learning curve here.”

“The way I view myself here in Claremont is more of a resource for department heads and the City Council,” he said. “The best thing I can do is help where I can.”

Bohenko stressed that there’s “a lot of positive things happening here in Claremont.”

“I think it’s good, I’m enjoying it,” he said about his new position as interim city manager. “The department heads are really good, the council and I sat through their budget hearing last week … I’m pleased so far.”

Claremont is paying Municipal Resources Inc. $95 an hour for Bohenko’s work, along with a travel stipend, Girard said.