Selectmen Approve Funds for Town Manager Search

MANSFIELD, MA — The selectmen have approved the funding associated with the town’s search for a new town manager.

Last week, the board voted to pay the Collins Center of UMass Boston up to $20,000 for costs associated with the search, $7,500 for a stipend for Acting Town Manager John Stanbrook, and $9,900 for extra help in the finance department while Standbrook splits his time between the two offices.

The selectmen do not expect to use the full $20,000 appropriated for the Collins Center, which is a recruitment firm hired to assist with the search. Chairman Jess Aptowitz said the quote the town received was $14,000 plus expenses.

The cash comes from a reserve fund for extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances.

In other town manager search news, Lauren Barnes and Kevin Kemp were appointed to two search committee spots reserved for residents. They join Standbrook and Town Clerk Marianne Staples, who were also named to the committee last week.

Bill Ross left his post as town manager on March 31. No reason has been given for the departure.

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