HAMPTON -- Town counsel Mark Gearreald will serve as interim town manager while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement for James Barrington, who handed in his 60-day notice two weeks ago.

Selectmen unanimously made the appointment official during Monday night's selectmen's meeting.

Discussion of hiring an interim town manager came up during a non-public meeting last week after board members questioned whether they could hire a new town manager by Aug. 25, which is Barrington's last day on the job.

The board decided to appoint an interim town manager just in case.

Selectmen Chairwoman Ginny Bridle-Russell said Gearreald will assume the position on Aug. 25 and will serve in that role until a the board decides who will be named the new town manager.

The board also announced that it has enlisted the services of the Local Government Center, formally known as the New Hampshire Municipal Association, to aid in finding a new town manager.

Selectmen signed an agreement with the organization to pay $6,000 for its professional recruitment service.

Services includes advertisements; accepting, acknowledging and reviewing resumes; scheduling interviews; guiding the governing body through the interview process; checking references; and notifying candidates once the position has been filled.

Selectmen used the same organization when they hired Barrington in November 1996.

Barrington, who has been the town manager for the last 9½ years, cited plans to return to his home state of Texas upon announcing his resignation.