Politics & Government

Wayland Selectmen Discuss Future Town Administrator

Wayland selectmen plan to discuss hiring a new town administrator at a later date.

Wayland selectmen on Monday took several steps in their path to finding a new permanent town administrator.

The moves comes weeks after the board fired former town administrator Fred Turkington. Selectmen have appointed John Senchyshyn as the acting town administrator.

INTERIM TOWN ADMINISTRATOR

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·       Senchyshyn asked the selectmen to consider hiring an interim town administrator noting he was overloaded with work. Selectmen agreed to have Senchyshyn contact three potential candidates (which he already has) to gauge their interest in the job.

·       “I think the town’s best interests would be served by having someone else [in the town administrator’s role],” Senchyshyn told selectmen, adding the person hired could serve two days per week and handle selectmen issues such as meeting preparations and other items.

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FINDING A NEW PERMANENT TOWN ADMINISTRATOR (separate from the interim or acting town administrator)

·       Selectmen agreed to have Senchyshyn draft a scope of services for potentially hiring a consulting firm to assist in hiring a new permanent administrator.

·       While no committee was established on Monday, officials discussed possibly having a search committee work with a private consulting firm to hire a new administrator.

PERSONNEL BOARD/SELECTMEN’S INPUT

·      Personnel Board Chairman Nancy McCarthy made several recommendations for the search process including hiring a private consultant to advise with the search.

·       McCarthy also suggested establishing a process to receive input form the public on what qualities they want in the next town administrator.

·      McCarthy said the town should create a seven-member search committee to handle hiring a new administrator.  The committee, she said, could comprise of three citizens, a School Committee member, a Public Works Board member, a Finance Committee member and a Personnel Board member. The four town officials could select the three citizen members, McCarthy said.

·      Leard said he supported a seven-member board and did not want a larger committee because he feared it would mean difficulty getting a meeting quorum.

·      As for the order of the process, Personnel Board Vice Chairman Maryanne Peabody said she preferred to establish the committee and then hire the consultant.

·      Ultimately, Selectman Joe Nolan said, selectmen and the Personnel Board should collaboratively decide on which consultant to hire.

·      Selectmen Vice Chairman Tony Boschetto said it is also crucial to get input from lower level employees in addition to input from department heads.

·      Whatever process is used, McCarthy said it would be important to get public input on the matter. She suggested setting up a website and public forums to received feedback.

 


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