Rockville City Manager Scott Ullery will retire Dec. 3, he announced in a letter to the city council Tuesday night.
After 33 years working in municipal government and seven as city manager, Ullery, 60, said it’s simply the right time for him to retire.
“When the time comes you just know.”
Ullery may have known that this was coming, but the council was shocked.
“First of all I’m stunned, and second of all I’m speechless,” Councilwoman Bridget Newton said she told Ullery when she heard the news.
Ullery and council members both denied rumors that Ullery was asked to leave or that Ullery was inspired to leave as a result of any friction between him and the council. Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio said she will be sorry to see him go.
“He has given seven fabulous years to us and leaves quite a legacy,” she said, adding that she used to have lunch with him every week when she first was elected to the council.
The city council will discuss plans to replace Ullery at its meeting Monday night, said Newton. Marcuccio expects to have someone in the position by March.
After he retires, Ullery said he plans “to live in the city of Rockville and take advantage of all the wonderful things this area has to offer.”
