Town administrator Mary Bohlen and Human Resources Director Kelsey Jensen have announced their intentions to retire and resign, respectively.
Town administrator retiring in Oct., HR director leaving in Nov. to create void in Town Hall
By Tara Fischer
Staff Writer
(Aug. 20, 2026) Two high-ranking Town of Berlin employees have resigned, with long-time town employee and current Town Administrator Mary Bohlen being one of them.
Also announcing her departure earlier this month is the town’s human resources director, Kelsey Jensen. Both will step down from their posts this fall.
Bohlen, who is retiring, confirmed in an email to the Bayside Gazette Monday that Oct. 9 will be her last day.
Bohlen is a Salisbury resident who began working for the town at 25 years old in 1991. Her first job was in Town Hall’s front office, where she answered phones and rang up utility customers.
Her roles within the municipality have included grants administrator, special projects administrator, deputy town administrator, and, since August 2022, town administrator. Bohlen succeeded former town administrator Jeff Fleetwood.
The town administrator oversees the government’s day-to-day operations. According to the Town of Berlin’s code, the town administrator supervises all main department heads and central office staff and is responsible for ensuring the overall efficient and effective administration of all of the town’s departments.
As for hiring a successor, the town code explains that the mayor may appoint a new town administrator with council approval.
Human Resources Director Jensen will remain on the job until mid-November, according to Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall, to provide a smooth transition for the town.
She graduated from Frostburg University in 2011 with a degree in social work. She later received a master’s degree in business from the University of Maryland University College, now known as University of Maryland Global Campus, in 2018. Initially, she worked as a courtroom clerk for the Circuit Court of Worcester County.
Jensen came to Berlin in 2016 for an administrative job. She then began training to earn certification as a municipal clerk and eventually took over as Berlin’s director of human resources.
Tyndall said Tuesday that the town plans to begin the hiring process within the next few weeks, and that the positions will be posted externally.
“We will be pushing out the postings for the vacant positions in the coming weeks and working through the hiring and selection process,” he said.
Councilmember Steve Green, also the executive editor of this publication, acknowledged the staff departures and is looking forward to the town moving quickly to bolster the town’s administration.
“I have enjoyed working with Mary and Kelsey during my term, and I thank them for their dedicated service to Berlin,” he said. “The loss of two top-level administrators around the same time is a big deal for a government of Berlin’s size. I am hoping we will immediately begin the search process to continue to move our town forward.”
Councilmember Jack Orris also recognized Bohlen and Jensen’s contributions to the Town of Berlin during their tenures.
“Losing members of administrative leadership is never easy for any organization,” he said. “I’m grateful for what has been learned from both Kelsey and Mary and wish them nothing but the best in their respective next chapters. I also want to recognize and thank Kelsey and Mary for their years of service to the Town of Berlin.”
Bohlen said she plans to provide additional remarks regarding her retirement at the Town Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 24.