The town of Gray has named its new town manager.

The town council is expected to appoint Westbrook Mayor Michael Foley Tuesday, Jan. 30.

Foley is Westbrook’s full-time mayor and chief executive officer.

“Michael impressed the Town Council by his leadership abilities, local government experience, and personality,” Town Council Chairperson Krista Chappell said in a news release from the town of Gray. “It was clear he is a prime candidate to lead Gray and its government into our town’s prosperous future. This leadership includes both daily governance and major projects, like the on-going, community-led effort to transform the Gray Village.”

According to the release, Foley has “over two decades of experience within various roles of municipal government.”

He has a degree in public administration from Purdue University Global.

Foley’s salary will be $115,000.

As first reported in the American Journal, Foley said in December that he would not seek re-election after he said he received hundreds of threatening emails and calls over his decision to remove a Star of David from the city’s holiday light display.

The star was replaced with a dreidel after a complaint from a member of the city’s Arab American community as Israel went to war with Hammas, the newspaper reported.

In Gray, Foley’s duties will include helping to develop Gray’s annual budget, manage personnel and handling day-to-day operations in the town.

Gray’s former Town Manager Nate Rudy resigned in September 2023. Gray Public Library Director Joshua Tiffany has filled the role temporarily. 

“The Town Council sincerely thanks Mr. Tiffany for his professionalism and dedication during this transitional period,” the release stated.

The council meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Gray Town Hall.