HAMPTON -- Town Attorney Mark Gearreald was sworn in as interim town manager Friday afternoon.

Selectmen last month appointed Gearreald to give them more time to search for a replacement for James Barrington.

Barrington, who celebrated his last day on the job last Friday, attended the swearing-in ceremony before hopping on a plane to return to his home state of Texas. Earlier Friday, employees held a special going away breakfast for Barrington in the Town Hall conference room.