GRANBY — After 23 years as town administrator, Christopher Martin will retire on Nov. 1, leaving the Select Board to rethink the position’s responsibilities before hiring a replacement.

“I’d truly like to thank you for your service to the town for many, many, many years,” Select Board member Glenn Sexton said to Martin after the board received his retirement letter. “Over the past 20 years, the town has changed considerably.”

The Select Board is expected to post a job opening for a new town administrator before Martin leaves his position to give a new hire time to learn the ropes.

Martin noted that his fiscal background benefited the town during financial trouble, but most town administrators have a planning background. Before posting a job opening, he said the board would need to consider if the town’s priorities are navigating current fiscal issues or future town growth.

“The previous boards that I’ve been on have had the conversations in regards to town administrators and other towns who have hired town administrators, what that person’s skills are compared to what Mr. Martin does here so it’s definitely something we need to take a look at,” Sexton said.

Sexton and Select Board Chair Crystal Dufresne asked Martin to transcribe his daily responsibilities to help define the position more, as both board members admitted they do not know all the tasks Martin does in his position.

In addition to his town administrator duties, Martin serves as director of the Board of Health and heads the Retirement Board, just two of the jobs that could be under separate people. Martin recommended that the town hire more than one person for the workload, and advertise it as such.

“As I’ve gone along, the requirements that been put on the position by various boards has changed dramatically,” Martin said. “Any words from human resource, dealing with retirement board, dealing with anything and everything that gets thrown in front of the board. You’re going to find a hard time finding someone to step up to the plate if you have a lot of responsibilities.”

Martin also spoke on the importance of developing Granby to ensure a sustainable future. The town is a large farming community without much to bring in business, including lack of water, gas and sewer infrastructure.

There are also two downtowns: the Five Corners Business District and Village Center. Martin said he and Sexton talked about bringing in a hotel or adding mixed-use developments of businesses and apartments in town, but neither project has moved past the idea phase.

With few business in the Route 116 and 202 corridors, there’s not much that attracts visitors from nearby towns, including Amherst and Mount Holyoke college students, Martin said, suggesting the need for small stores and restaurants where students can sit, relax and do homework.

“You really need to try to look at how to attract all these people. You find that the only reason they stop here is because they have to stop at the stop (light) by Dunkin’ Donuts. Other than that, I believe they would just continue going through” he said.

Martin’s departure marks the end of his 40-year career in public service.

“I’ve only been able to work with you for about two and a half years now, but thank you,” Dufresne said. “I know you do a lot here and a lot of people don’t understand how much you do, and I’m just beginning to understand that now being the chair and working with you. Thank you so much for all the time you’ve given to Granby.”

Emilee Klein can be reached at eklein@gazettenet.com.