Politics & Government
Selectmen Launch Search for Assistant Town Manager
The board voted 4-1 Monday to begin the process.
The Board of Selectmen launched the town’s search for an assistant town manager with a 4-1 vote Monday evening.
Selectman Stephen Campbell voted against commencing the process of hiring an assistant town manager, who would also assume in some capacity the responsibilities of the community affairs director.
Of greatest concern to Campbell was Human Resource Director Molly McKean’s suggestion that the board and town remain flexible with the salary range advertised for the position.
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“We may cut our applicant pool in half if we advertise a salary range and aren’t flexible,” McKean said, noting the town’s perfect candidate for the hybrid position may require a higher salary than advertised.
“I’d like to have flexibility to negotiate the salary,” agreed Town Manager Keith Hickey. “I’d like the board to consider that if you’re going to remain firm on the benefits package offered.”
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Campbell argued “part of this process is setting parameters,” and said the town shouldn’t even consider candidates who submit applications for the position requesting more than $93,000, the amount McKean suggested top the salary range for the position.
McKean said because the position is unique in that it combines a variety of roles and duties, the board shouldn’t compare salaries of assistant town managers in other communities with the salary range for the town’s new hire.
After discussion, the board agreed to set the salary range for an assistant town manager at $80,000 to $98,000.
Hickey is to field all submissions and pass along a pool of applicants to a five-member review team comprised of Selectmen Patrick Hargreaves and James Keller, as well as town department heads and McKean.
McKean recommended removing applicants’ names from their applications so that the review team may consider the candidates objectively.
The review team will whittle the pool down to two finalists, with Hickey to make the final decision regarding which candidate will best serve the town as assistant town manager.
