TA/manager search underway

BELCHERTOWN – The next steps in the search for the next town administer/manager have begun with a job posting and the creation of a screening committee.

Working with Community Paradigm Associates, a job posting has been made for the position, according to Selectboard Chair Jim Barry in Monday’s meeting.

Town Moderator Amanda Halper in appointed members to the Town Administrator Screening Committee which held its first meeting earlier this month.

Barry said the Paradigm also asked for an increase in funding of $2,000 following the Selectboard’s request for help with the transition from having a town administrator to a town manager.

“The scope of the work they were going to do for us was to meet with the board in a work session to review specific ideas related to the possible position, authority and responsibility,” Barry said. “(Paradigm) would also act as a facilitator for board discussion and considerations related to decisions.”

These discussions occurred over late 2022 and into January and February.

Barry did express disappointment that the term “town manager” didn’t appear in the job description posted, but said he was in favor of asking the town attorney to provide example town meeting warrant articles to make that change.

“We’re not changing from town meeting to a town council, we’re only changing the title of the chief appointed official from town administrator to town manager,” he said.

Currently the town cannot make the change due to state law, leaving the town with the choice of creating a charter or asking voters in town meeting to determine whether to hire a town manager.

Town Administrator Gary Brougham asked the board if they were interested in changing the town’s current bylaw authorizing the Selectboard to appoint a town administrator. Barry said yes.