Town delays posting of new Admin position

Town delays posting of new Admin position

Hiring could be postponed until spring

Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer

TEMPLETON — Time constraints and budget issues may prevent the Board of Selectmen from hiring a new Town Administrator until after the budget for Fiscal Year 2015 is approved.

“I don’t see how we can in good conscience hire a full-time town administrator this fiscal year,” said Selectman Julie Farrell.

During Monday’s board meeting, the selectmen unanimously approved a job description for the new position, but refrained from officially posting it due to concerns over when the new administrator should start and payment.

Town Coordinator Jeff Ritter said the process of hiring an administrator is arduous.


Due to the authority given to the town administrator position, the selection process is more complex than hiring a coordinator. A committee will need to be formed consisting of possible community members and officials that will review and interview applicants for the position.

The committee will recommend two to four candidates to the selectmen, who will conduct their own interviews and make the final decision. Officials said the entire process could take upwards of six months depending on existing contracts and severance clauses, and another 60 days before the person could start working.

Members were torn on how long they should wait before posting the position, as it might take several weeks for word to spread and attract a sufficient pool of applicants.

“We are way overdue on having this position,” said Selectman Doug Morrison. “The longer we drag our feet, the longer it’s going to take, and the longer we flap in the wind.”

Chairman Jeffery Bennett said the board should time the posting in order to obtain a suitable candidate ready to begin following May’s Annual Town Meeting. Ms. Farrell suggested they should post the position in February and form the committee beforehand.

Officials are seeking to create a town administrator position, as opposed to their current coordinator seat, to have someone responsible for the town’s budget in order to prevent financial woes in the future.

The board discussed possibly hiring an interim town coordinator or administrator to help solve the town’s $505,000 budget shortfall.

Officials expressed an interest in a particular candidate with excellent credentials, who the board would give authority over the budget as well as help through the process of hiring a full-time administrator.

No official decision was reached regarding the posting of the town administrator position.