AMHERST – With permanent town manager Paul Bockelman not starting in Amherst until Aug. 22, the Select Board is turning to a familiar person to serve as interim town manager for nearly three weeks.
Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek, who is also director of conservation and development, was named to the temporary post by the Select Board Monday and will assume those duties at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.
Ziomek is needed because Peter Hechenbleikner, who started as interim town manager Feb. 1, will work his last night in Amherst on Monday. Hechenbleikner is capped at 960 hours of work per year based on his state pension.
Ziomek is familiar with the interim position because he served in that capacity following the unexpected death last September of Town Manager John Musante.
Ziomek will serve until midnight Aug. 21 and will be paid roughly an additional $7,500, and receive $300 for use of his own car.
Hechenbleikner said he expects the major issue for Ziomek is the possibility that the town will impose mandatory water restrictions.
Meanwhile, Hechenbleikner said Bockelman has been getting to know the town on his own, becoming familiar with residents, employees and businesses through various meetings and events.
“He has been doing an amazing job getting out to the community and doing outreach,” Hechenbleikner said, observing that he and Bockelman went to an Amherst Club civic organization luncheon last week. “I think he will be as prepared as anyone could be to step into the job.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
