AMHERST – With the Select Board expected to name a new town manager Thursday, just two finalists remain for the position after the city manager in Montpelier, Vermont, withdrew.
William Fraser submitted a letter to the Select Board and Bernard Lynch, the search consultant hired by Amherst, late Wednesday afternoon, stating that he intends to remain in Vermont’s capital city.
“I apologize for any problems this may cause,” Fraser wrote. “I have been very serious about this position since making my application.”
Select Board Chairwoman Alisa Brewer said the board will still meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Town Room at Town Hall to decide between the remaining two finalists, Paul Bockelman, director of administration and finance for the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and Maria Caprioli, assistant town manager in Mansfield, Connecticut.
Brewer informed the second session of annual Town Meeting that residents may continue to submit feedback on the remaining two candidates by sending comments to selectboard@amherstma.gov.
Fraser said in his letter that his April 26 day-long visit, which included an interview with the Select Board and meetings with the community and other town officials, did not leave him with the excitement and anticipation he hoped for in possibly leaving the job he has held for 21 years.
“Instead, I have wrestled with lingering uncertainty,” Fraser wrote.
While Fraser recently renewed his contract in Montpelier, he had assured Lynch that he was committed to going through the interview process.
Fraser concluded his letter by writing that “I simply don’t feel that I am the best fit for your needs and your organization.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
