Selectmen Discuss Creating Assistant Town Manager Position

The Salem Board of Selectmen discussed a unique strategy Monday to merge the community development director position with that of an assistant town manager.

The discussion followed last week's announcement that current Community Development Director William Scott to head to Amesbury, Mass. He will remain in Salem until June 24.

Salem Human Resources Director Molly McKean said the Community Development Department being understaffed has been an issue, and that Town Manager Keith Hickey is caught up in day-to-day operations that are not his expertise.

"We have a town manager who is not only overseeing a multi-million dollar budget, but also the direct reporting from eleven to twelve department heads and support staff," McKean said, noting hiring an assistant town manager would divert some of those functions and allow the town manager to focus on the biggest capitol areas.

Selectman Jim Keller expressed concern with slowing momentum behind hiring someone to fill the community development director's position, particularly with the potential for construction of a casino in New Hampshire.

Other board members felt as though they needed more information to move forward with advertising such a position, namely a solid job description.

"I don't want to make a snap judgment," said Chairman Everett McBride, Jr. "We've done that. I want to slow this process down until we have all the information."

Secretary Stephen Campbell talked about taking a responsible approach.

"I want to make sure this is a smart move that gets us where we want to be in a year from now, not just a few months from now. Voting tonight and advertising the job before we even have a complete job description I don't think is fiscally responsible."

Hickey said he is confident the position could be filled by July 8 (start date). He believes filling the community development director position is "critical for this community to move forward in a proactive manner."

McKean said the salary range for a new assistant town manager/community development head would be $70,000 to $90,000.

The proposal will be discussed further at the board's goal-setting meeting, scheduled to take place on Wednesday night.