Politics & Government

Former Ellington Official Hired as Southington Town Planner

After just five months in Farmington, former Ellington Town Manager Robert Phillips will now take on a new challenge in Southington.

By Jason Vallee 

For the second time in five months, Southington has introduced a new town planner - and this time, it appears they have found their man.

Former Farmington Town Planner Robert Phillips officially started on Monday, taking over the position that has remained vacant for all but eight days over the past year. Phillips took over the role from Assistant Town Planner Dave Lavallee, who has acted in the role in the absence of a full-time planner over the past year.

“Back when we first went out looking for applicants, he was at the very top,” Southington Town Manager Garry Brumback told the Record-Journal. “He has a wide range of experience and most importantly he’s got a tremendous focus on customer service and supporting community standards. Those two things combined to make him a standout candidate.”

Phillips comes with a variety of experience, including serving as planner in Farmington since July and eight years with the town of Ellington before that. 

It is the first time since July that the town has filled the position. Plainville Town Planner Mark DeVoe was hired but served just eight days before resigning. He returned to his previous role in Plainville. 

Prior to that, the town had not had a planner since December 2012 when former Southington Town Planner Mary Savage-Dunham resigned after more than half a decade with the town.


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