LUBEC — If the Lubec selectmen here have a New Year’s resolution, it might be to find and hire a new town office manager in 1993.

The town has been without a full-time administrator since July 16, when Normand Laberge quit the post to accept a position as an environmental engineer at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station at Cutler. Laberge had served as town office manager in Lubec for 33 months.

On July 30, Selectman Paul Crandall agreed at the board’s request to serve as interim office manager until a permanent manager could be hired. Crandall, a school teacher, said in September that his teaching job had prevented him from being at the town office during normal business hours.

As a result, the board agreed in November to hire professional public administrator Dana Bradley as a part-time consultant to temporarily oversee the town’s administration. Bradley, who served previously for six years as a town manager in Lubec and owns and operates Dixie Video in Lubec, agreed to work 20 hours a week for the next five weeks. The contract was extended once, but is set to expire Jan. 4.

Lubec’s search for a new town office manager was dealt a major setback on Nov. 25 when Larry E. Barnes of Bath, N.Y., declined the board’s offer. Barnes was the board’s first choice from a field of 11 applicants in October. Selectmen at the time noted that many of the applicants failed to meet minimum qualification for the job.

Carlton Leighton, chairman of the selectmen, said Monday that recent advertisements soliciting applicants for the position has yielded five applications. “We expect to call these people up shortly to see if they’re still interested and to set up interviews for the job.

Bradley has made it clear that he is not interested in assuming the manager’s job full-time. He said Tuesday that the initial five-week contract was thought to be sufficient time for selectmen to advertise, interview and hire a permanent manager. But when Barnes turned down the job offer, the board found itself back at square one.

“They’re in quite a situation right now,” Bradley said. “They don’t need any more problems to go along with everything else. I’m certain we can work something out.”

Asked about reports published last week in a local newspaper that he had resigned his position, Bradley replied, “We’re still looking at the contract. The present contract ends Jan. 4, so it would have to be extended.”

The next scheduled board meeting is Jan. 14. An agreement between Bradley and the town is expected before then. Leighton, meanwhile, is hopeful that a qualified candidate for town office manager can be found in the few applications received this month.