The town on Tuesday laid off a part-time events coordinator who has helped manage Christmas in Davidson, April Is for Arts and the summer Concerts on the Green. Margaret Martens, who has become a familiar face downtown in recent years, lost her job amid a series of budget cuts needed to help make up for lower than expected town revenues and a budget shortfall at the town-owned MI-Connection cable system.

Town spokeswoman Sara-Lynne Levine said Wednesday Ms. Martens was “let go” Tuesday following a reorganization at the Parks & Recreation Department. The restructuring included outsourcing the operation of Beaver Dam Park, off Davidson-Concord Road, which freed up the time of other staff members, she said.

Town Manager Leamon Brice had met with employees last month to warn them that troubles at the cable system and lower revenues could require some layoffs.

Ms. Levine said no further layoffs are expected this fiscal year. “We really appreciate everything that she’s done,” Ms. Levine. It was simply a “budget-related decision,” she added.

Ms. Martens said she was caught by surprise when she was informed Tuesday that her job was being eliminated without notice.

“I thought if I was going to lose a job it wouldn’t be until the end of the year,” Ms. Martens said. “I love the job, I love working with all the people in Davidson.”

Ms. Martens won’t be disappearing entirely: She will still be around town as a member of the Davidson Housing Coalition’s board of directors.

Ms. Martens has helped organize downtown events since 2007, when she took on a variety of behind-the-scenes tasks following the death of former Downtown Davidson Director Kate MacIntyre. At the time, she worked through Downtown Davidson Inc., the non-profit merchants’ association. Last year, the town of Davidson moved her into Town Hall along with Downtown Director Sandy Lemons as part of a restructuring of its downtown efforts. Ms. Martens had been working half-time.

The town in December approved a contract with Armin’s Catering to take over marketing and operation of the Beaver Dam historic site, off Davidson-Concord Road. That freed up the time of other staffers who had been helping manage Beaver Dam, Ms. Levine said.

Angela Blashaw, a 16-year town employee and special event coordinator in the Parks & Rec. Department, will now manage and oversee all special events, including April Is for Arts and Concerts on the Green. She also will become the town’s liaison to the monthly meetings of downtown merchants, according to Ms. Lemons’ note.

In an email to merchants Tuesday, Downtown Director Lemons said, “We want to thank Margaret Martens for all her hard work and efforts over the past few years.”

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