Rob Webber accepts position on the other side of the province to be closer to family
After three eventful years leading Hartland’s administrative team, CAO Rob Webber resigned to take a similar position on the other side of New Brunswick.
Webber will become CAO of Five Rivers, a new community formed in 2023 when Harcourt, Weldford and Richibucto Parish amalgamated with the Village of Rexton.
As much as he enjoyed his three-year tenure in the Covered Bridge community, Webber said the opening in Five Rivers presented an ideal situation for his family.
“My wife and I have decided to relocate to live closer to our adult children, who both live in the Moncton area,” he said.
While Webber’s departure is a significant loss to the town, Hartland Mayor Tracey DeMerchant said she, council members and staff wish him the best in his new role.
The mayor said the town is already advertising for a new CAO, who she acknowledged will have big shoes to fill.
“He’s truly been amazing,” DeMerchant said. “I can’t brag about him enough.”
Webber, who will remain in his role in Hartland until the end of November, returned the praise to the mayor and council.
“It’s one of the greatest councils in the province,” he said.
Webber also praised the town staff and the community’s residents.
“Hartland has been excellent for me,” he said.
Webber said the significant progress he, the administration, the mayor and the council made over the past three years, including the seamless adaptation to amalgamation, completion of the new Central Carleton Community Complex and launching of vital housing developments, will continue in his absence.
“We have a really good team at town hall,” he said. “This town is in good hands.”
After 25 years in the private sector, Webber made his first foray into the public sector when he successfully applied to head the Hartland municipal administration.
“I learned on the job quickly,” he said. “We had some good years.”
Webber almost immediately waded into municipal reform, with the town preparing to amalgamate with the surrounding local service districts of Somerville, Simonds, Brighton, Coldstream, Bright, Peel and a portion of Wakefield.
“I really enjoyed amalgamation,” he said, admitting he liked having a front-row seat during the historic changes.
Webber said Hartland expansion proved easier, with residents in most outlying LSDs already viewing the town as the business centre for their respective communities and Hartland as the only municipal government involved in the expansion.
The CAO also praised the efforts of Don Ferguson, who guided the transition team, and the strong support of transition team members and councillors on both former and new councils.
“Hartland did it well,” he said.
Mayor DeMerchant said Webber’s tremendous work ethic and integrity made him the perfect fit to help guide the Covered Bridge Community through a “time of transition.”
“It’s truly been amazing,” she said.
In addition to the municipal reform, the mayor and outgoing CAO also cited completing the community complex, which is set to open in a couple of weeks, and housing developments as highlights of Webber’s short but eventful stay in Hartland.
“We accomplished so much,” said DeMerchant, “and a lot had to do with Rob.”
Webber said the community complex will significantly benefit the town over several decades.
He added that the town’s ongoing housing developments will play a vital role in the town’s growth, noting that housing requires substantial input from both the private sector and three levels of government.
He said the town’s newest development plans are well underway and should be shovel-ready by spring.
Webber is also proud of the early steps to enhance Hartland’s waterfront, with a new park on the way and other infrastructure developments to take advantage of the famous bridge and St. John River.
“It’s going to be a really nice place,’ he said.
Webber said his IT and private sector administration skills helped in his CAO efforts in the public sector.
He cited the detailed FAQ submission on the controversial Bright Mountain Wind Farm Project on the Town of Hartland website as an example.
Webber said the FAQ is designed to provide facts and not take sides on the project’s merits. He hopes it offers Hartland residents and others the answers they need.
As much as he loved Hartland, Webber said the job in Five Rivers is ideal from a family perspective. He noted that his wife was raised in nearby Amherst, and his two adult children live in neighbouring Moncton and Sackville.
Webber said he will always appreciate Hartland officials’ willingness to give him his first chance in the public sector and provide a supportive work environment.
Mayor DeMerchant said the search to replace Webber is ongoing, adding that she hopes the town is “as fortunate as last time.”
