Embury in Running for Manager Job in Mashpee

North Kingstown Town Manager Michael Embury could be parting ways with the town.

Embury is a finalist for the manager’s job in Mashpee, Mass., and will be interviewed by the Board of Selectmen there tonight at 4 p.m. in a public session.

Embury is one of five finalists for the position, according to the Cape Cod Times, and the board’s choice will replace outgoing Town Manager Joyce Mason, who is retiring after many years working for Mashpee, including 13 as manager.

North Kingstown is a place that requires a thick skin of its town manager, who serves at the pleasure of the Town Council. And in North Kingstown, the job is extra tough as the council here is one of the more politically assertive councils in Rhode Island.

In recent months, Embury has taken a few drubbings from members of the public and criticism from some council members over the town’s financial management. Embury has said that many of the problems stem from multiple unexpected long-term absences and the departure of several key employees. The town’s audit has been late for two years in a row and its own auditor, LGC&D, cited several internal control deficiencies.

In February, the state auditor general responded to the town’s request for an extension for the fiscal 2014 audit with reservations about granting a five-month extension.

Dennis E. Hoyle, auditor general, said the town’s challenges preparing financial statements and completing the audit “are problematic in itself” and that “it suggests the Town’s financial operations and related control procedures are not in order.”

Then there’s the ethics complaint filed against Embury by the chairman of the North Kingstown Democratic Town Committee. In it, Embury is alleged to have not disclosed that he is renting a house that apparently belongs to a town councilman.

Still, Embury can list a number of notable accomplishments during his tenure, including the negotiation of new police and fire contracts, and the resolution to an epic legal battle between the town and the North Kingstown fire union over 56-hour workweeks. That settlement and the contract terms, which reduce the number of platoons from 4 to 3, has become a catalyst for cities and towns across Rhode Island to look at implementing similar measures for possible savings.

Embury has also presided during a period of remarkable economic growth in Quonset, which has arguably led the way in the state’s sorely needed efforts to turn its economy and reputation around. Though the real work in Quonset is in the hands of Quonset Development Corporation, Embury, in his application cover letter, cited his strong working relationship with the local chamber of commerce and the leadership of Quonset Business Park.

North Kingstown’s bond rating is AA2 with Moody’s and AA+ with Standard and Poor’s. Sewers are being installed on Post Road and are coming to Wickford and the town’s Internet presence has improved steadily over the last few years.

“I believe my experience and accomplishments demonstrate that I meet the criteria Mashpee seeks in its next Town Manager,” he wrote.

Embury, who has served in North Kingstown since 2007, was the runner-up in a manager search in Middleboro, Mass., last year. At the time, he said though he loves North Kingstown, he wanted to keep his options open with an election coming up and all signs pointing to increasing heat from the council.

“It’s a matter of self preservation,” he said at the time. “There is uncertainty with this election with certain candidate comments and I have a family to look out for.”

“I think we’re doing a good job and have a good staff,” he said. “But I’m keeping my eyes open.”

Embury would not say if there are other communities in which he’s in the running for a manager job.