GEORGETOWN — The former planner for Amesbury and Newburyport, Nick Cracknell, has been hired as the next town planner for Georgetown.
Planning Board member Tillie Evangelista said the board made the decision last week. Cracknell is expected to start June 9. The planner position is part time in Georgetown, and he will work 24 hours a week.
That schedule allows him to continue his job as a senior land use planner with the Horsley Witten Group, a consulting firm for cities and towns.
"I really think it's the best of both worlds," Cracknell said of the job share arrangement last night. "I'm excited. It's a good opportunity for me to be able to do both municipal planning and still be able to work for a great company like Horsley Witten."
At Horsley Witten, a Sandwich firm with a satellite office in Newburyport, Cracknell works with various North Shore communities.
The town planner position in Georgetown has been vacant for about eight months following the departure of Sarah Buck.
Cracknell departed Newburyport in 2006 after serving as that city's planning director for four years. In a decision that earned both praise and harsh criticism, Mayor John Moak decided not to reappoint Cracknell, citing differences in vision and philosophy.
During his time in Newburyport, Cracknell was credited with spurring concepts such as the Waterside West district that billionaire developer Stephen Karp plans to develop, and a Federal Street redevelopment of the former Archdiocese of Boston property.
Cracknell inspired loyal followers who saw him as a strong advocate for historic preservation, but he also earned critics who said he was too unyielding with developers.
Prior to that position, Cracknell served as Amesbury's town planner.
Cracknell said he expects to draw on his experience in Amesbury and Newburyport in Georgetown as the town works to meet its recently completed Master Plan and to explore projects like the downtown village center or forming historic districts.
"I"m very interested in working with the Planning Board there," Cracknell said, calling the long-term planning goals of Georgetown "progressive."
Evangelista said the town had about 19 applications for the position.
She praised his experiences in Amesbury and Newburyport, citing his familiarity with smart-growth laws.
Georgetown is launching a commercial development committee.
"He will be a crucial player in that end," she said.
With the renovations of the downtown and the new bike trail, Cracknell's experience will be crucial, she said.
"Georgetown's very fortunate to hire him," she said. "He had exceptional qualifications and will move the government forward."
