Former Mansfield Town Accountant Returns

After serving as finance director, John Stanbrook has decided to return to Mansfield and selectmen wasted no time hiring him back Wednesday.

Town Manager Bill Ross had announced only last week that the search for a new town accountant was narrowing and said the search team would present the board with a finalist soon.

But, Stanbrook apparently contacted Ross recently.

"He and I have talked," Ross said, as Stanbrook sat at the microphone Wednesday.

The board did have questions - Stanbrook was only in Mansfield less than a year, and followed another town accountant, Eric Hart, who left abruptly after about the same amount of time. In each instance, the town was left scrambling for help in the critical finance office, and in Stanbrook's case, his departure occurred at the beginning of the difficult budget season.

The two newest accountants followed the departure of veteran accountant Bea Kearney, who retired after 12 years with the town.

While the board was overjoyed to see the much-respected Stanbrook back in front of them, they were also determined to make sure there were no repeat performances, and suggested a three-year contract.

"I understand your reasons for leaving," said Olivier Kozlowski. "But the question on a lot of people's' minds is going to be, can we count on you to remain here?"

"People are correct to ask that question," Stanbrook said, adding he was willing to work out a contract with the town that would reflect that concern. "You don't get a second chance very often," he said.

Doug Annino echoed that unease, saying, "My only concern is commitment - we need stabilization... I see this on resumes all the time, and it makes me worry. For your own good, it would be best to stick around."

Stanbrook was known for working with staff and the town manager to create a more transparent manner of reporting expenditures by department, and evidence of his popularity was apparent in the back row, where a fan club of town hall employees waited for a decision.

Since his departure, the town finance office has changed over its accounting software, not without considerable transitional difficulty.

Stanbrook explained he had taken the Cohasset position because he thought it would bring greater responsibility and more pay, but said he missed Mansfield and the status and challenges his old job had conferred on him.

"I thought we made a good team," he said of his work with Ross and the office staff.

After a brief discussion, Stanbrook was voted in at a pay grade called "K" at step 7 -- $91,645, with an automatic retroactive hike to step 8 after a positive job review one year from hire. The step 8 pay rate would be $93,756. Stanbrook has also requested he be credited with two weeks' vacation time.

"That is a fair dollar amount to be the town accountant to a $100 million company," said board chairman and former finance committee member Jess Aptowitz.

"I see what's out there - I was in this business," he said. "It's not easy to find someone - it's a fair wage."

Stanbrook is a graduate of Suffolk University and Northeastern University, and has worked in Mansfield, East Bridgewater and Cohasset.

After contract negotiations are completed, Stanbrook is expected to start work Oct. 24.