The Tale of the Town Manager:The Search Resumes While Town Adjusts

The Town Manager Search Committee is back to work, searching for the next Town Manager.

Committee chair Tom Reilly said the UMass Collins Center has re-advertised the position. The deadline to apply is May 20. Previous applicants will also be considered.

“We thought that since some time had passed we would advertise again,” Reilly said. “We’ll review the candidates and hold another meeting May 30.”

For the past nine years James McKenna was the Town Manager with a $150,000 salary. McKenna opted to take the last year of his 10-year contract as a consultant to the town, although that has become a little bone of contention. His contract expires May 15 and no one seems to know what consulting work was done.

In emails between Town Council President Ron Vecchia and McKenna, Vecchia had asked if McKenna would oversee the Ferry and Center Business District. Vecchia said he did meet with McKenna once on March 1.

“He presented me with a report regarding funding for the center project,” Vecchia said.

In the Interim Police Chief Terry Delehanty was appointed interim town manager. Delehanty was offered the position and has since declined. He is staying on as interim Town Manager until a new one can be found. It is his intention to remain as the police chief.

When Police Chief Terry Delehanty was appointed interim Town Manager he kept his police chief salary of $160,000. The town council sets the salary.

Vecchia said he has also met with department heads to hear their concerns.

“They were disappointed Terry was not taking the permanent position,” Vecchia said. “He’s brought the town forward and raised the morale of Town Hall.”