STAR LAKE — The Clifton-Fine Hospital board wants to have a replacement for Administrator Roger A. Masse by the time he leaves July 19.

"We're hoping we have a good, smooth transition," board President Walter E. Todd said. "I'm really pleased Roger is finding something he likes and that is a career advancement for him. He's leaving us in good shape."

Mr. Masse, who has been administrator at the hospital for nearly five years, is leaving for a job at Interlake Health, a nursing home in Ticonderoga. He was at a conference and unavailable for comment.

Mr. Todd said the board wasn't surprised when Mr. Masse recently gave notice.

"Hospital administrators are not usually around for any great length of time," he said. "They're all looking for a career move."

After Mr. Masse's notice, Mr. Todd called a special meeting of the board, which organized an advertising campaign.

"We've had good response," Mr. Todd said. "I don't foresee us having any major problems."

The board will look for someone much like Mr. Masse, who had experience with critical access and long-term care and some background in business, Mr. Todd said.

Clifton-Fine has nine nursing home beds and 11 hospital beds.

Mr. Masse has had a long tenure in health care, working in various administrative positions at Mercy Center for Health Services in Watertown, Margaretville Memorial Hospital and Mountainside Residential Care Facility in Delaware County, Fox Hospital in Oneonta and Tioga County's Senior Care Facility.

Mr. Masse's salary was $92,000 when he started in 2003 at Clifton-Fine. The salary range for his successor will be $90,000 to $150,000, Mr. Todd said.