BANGOR — The day after the Bangor City Council gave unanimous approval to extending his contract, City Manager Ed Barrett flew to Concord, N.H., to be interviewed as one of two finalists for a city manager position there.

Barrett is scheduled to be interviewed today by a city manager search committee. Concord, the state’s capital, has a population of about 33,000.

Efforts by the Bangor Daily News on Tuesday to reach the mayor of Concord were unsuccessful.

Barrett, who received word earlier this month that he was a contender for the Concord position, said his interest in leaving Bangor had been precipitated by the divisiveness which ensued this summer between himself and some city councilors.

“If some recent events hadn’t happened,” he said Tuesday afternoon, “most likely I would not have applied for the position.”

Barrett said while he felt “heartened by the level of support” he received at Monday night’s council meeting, he intended to see the job interview through.

“I’m all set to go down there,” he said. “At this point, I’m deep into the process.”

Still, he noted, “last night [Monday] is certainly something that will have a major impact on my thinking.”

“I’m trying to explore my options,” he added. “My immediate concern was to see what would happen with my contract at [Monday nighyt’s] meeting, and to see if the difficulties were resolved or at least moving in a positive direction.”

Barrett and some city councilors had been at odds this summer over the direction city government was taking and over cuts in the budget they felt weren’t deep enough.

While most of the divisiveness was discussed in executive session, the end result was a request by Mayor Marshall Frankel to terminate Barrett’s contract. That order was never presented to the council.

And in an about-face Monday night, Barrett was championed vociferously, as several members of the public, including a number of former city councilors, stepped forward to speak on his behalf. City councilors also agreed that it was time for a show of unity.

On Tuesday, councilors expressed dismay, surprise and sympathy regarding Barrett’s decision to look for another position.

Patricia Blanchette, who was informed of Barrett’s plans Tuesday afternoon by the NEWS, called Barrett “a terrific city manager … who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He got caught in the crossfire.”

“I’d hate to see him leave now, just when we’re on a roll, just when we’re putting our differences aside,” she said.

Councilor James Tyler, who was already aware of Barrett’s plans, called his possible departure “a travesty,” albeit understandable.

“He’s been under some duress,” he added. “It’s only normal reaction to look elsewhere.”

Christopher Popper, meanwhile, was let in on Barrett’s plans Tuesday when the New Hampshire Municipal Association called him for a character reference. Popper had been one of the city councilors to express his concern about Barrett earlier this summer.

“I guess I’m surprised, given the eloquent testimonials as to his performance,” Popper said, referring to Monday night’s lauding of Barrett.

Marshall Frankel and Don Soucy, both of whom had been unaware of Barrett’s plans until Tuesday afternoon, expressed sorrow about Barrett’s possible departure.

“I will be sorry to see him leave; he’s a nice, honest person,” said Frankel. “As far as personalities go, we never had any problem. You can’t agree with everybody on everything.”

“The way he’s been treated, I wouldn’t blame him,” Soucy added.

Councilor Charles Sullivan, who had been told of Barrett’s plans, offered him “best wishes,” as did Councilor David Leen, who also had been contacted earlier by Barrett.

“I have a lot of respect for him,” added Leen. “I know it is a hard decision to make.”

Councilor Tim Woodcock said Barrett had told him of his plans before the council meeting on Monday.

“If I had been through what he’s been through, would I consider looking elsewhere?” Woodcock speculated. “I think I would.”

Councilor Gerard Baldacci was unavailable for comment.

Barrett had been alerted to the vacancy in Concord in late June upon receipt of an unsolicited letter from the director of the New Hampshire Municipal Association.

“It came at a point where I started to think it may be a good idea for me to start taking a look around to see what else is available,” he said.

Barrett admitted that the timing of the interview “is not ideal.”

“I would have preferred having more time between last night’s [Monday’s] decision and any additional interviews in Concord,” he said.

The other finalist for the Concord position is also a Mainer — Duncan Ballantyne, who has been city manager of Bath for about six years.

Meanwhile, City Solicitor Erik Stumpfel said Barrett’s contract renews automatically every year for additional one-year terms, although the council formally passes an extension of the current contract each year.

According to the city charter and the contract which Barrett signed when he came on board in 1988, either the administration or Barrett can terminate their relationship with 30 days’ notice.

Stumpfel said, however, that councilors on Monday night reauthorized an amendment — first made in 1989 but never signed — requiring both parties to give 90 days’ notice of termination.

Should Barrett opt to take the job in Concord, he would be working with 15 city councilors and earn between $70,000-$79,999 per year. His yearly salary in Bangor is $81,282, according to Stumpfel.

Barrett said, though, that money was “not a major motivator” in his decision to relocate.

Instead, he said he needed to “take a hard look at my personal life and the kinds of pressures I’ve been subjected to, and also get a better feel for how the council there operates.”

Barrett acknowledged that “it would be exceptionally difficult for me to leave Bangor.

“It’s the finest community I’ve ever lived in,” he continued, “a great place for my son.”

Barrett, who is divorced, shares custody of his 11-year-old son with his wife, who also lives in Bangor.

The city manager said he felt “a real sense of ownership in what I’ve accomplished” in Bangor.