SOUTHAMPTON — Wanted: The public’s help in selecting a new town administrator.
Job requirement: Be willing to volunteer some time on a search committee this spring and early summer.
Later this month, the Select Board plans to appoint people to a seven-member search committee that will screen applications for the town’s top administrative post to replace interim Town Administrator Robert Markel, a former Springfield mayor who has held the position since November. The committee will include four members from the general public and three representatives of town departments, with the option of more members if needed.
So far, applicants include Police Chief Michael Goyette, Fire Chief John Workman and Highway Superintendent Randall Kemp, Finance Committee Chairman Michael Rosenberg, Town Accountant Vicki Moro, Health Director Geraldine Swanson, library trustee Lucinda Palmer and Cheryl Fletcher of Fletcher Farm.
But town officials have voiced concerns about the composition of the search committee, saying the pool of applicants is dominated by department heads and town committee representatives and lacks members from the general public.
“One of the dilemmas is that this has been open for a number of months and there hasn’t been any residents forthcoming with an interest,” Select Board Chairman Charlie Kaniecki said.
Fletcher is the only applicant who is not involved in a town committee or department and has never volunteered on a town committee. She said she was approached by town department heads to join the committee.
“I do think you need a good mix,” Fletcher said. “I do think you should really, seriously consider trying to encourage … a couple of other residents to make up a good, well-rounded committee to choose the right person to manage the town.”
Kaniecki said he plans to appoint members of the search committee at the March 14 Select Board meeting.
The Select Board also plans to hire a consultant to assist with hiring a permanent town administrator, whom town officials hope to choose by the summer, Kaniecki said. In January, the town voted to transfer $5,000 from free cash to fund the consultant.
The search committee will work with the consultant in developing a job description and wage classification, which will be reviewed by both the Personnel and Select boards for approval.
Former town administrator Heather Budrewicz announced her resignation in late September after serving more than two years. She is now the town administrator of Ashburnham.
Those who would like to be on the search committee can visit the Town Hall at 210 College Highway for an application.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.