Town expects to fill assistant town manager position by end of October

The town is making progress in its search for a new assistant town manager, according to Town Manager Tony Marino.

Marino updated the town council on the search process during Tuesday night’s meeting.

The full-time position would be a first for the town, and would also take on many of the duties of the former planning director, according to Marino.

The former planning director left the position earlier this year. Marino said the town did advertise to fill the position, but did not find many qualified applicants.

Marino said the town then pivoted to changing the role to an assistant town manager position with a focus on planning. He said the applicant pool has already exceeded what the town garnered for the planning position alone.

“I did post the assistant town manager job description, we are getting some resumes in,” said Marino. “The focus of that position will be planning and economic development, with the goal that that position would replace what we had for a town planner. Certainly, we need that with the planning board and the ZBA, and we’re looking to get that job filled, hopefully by the end of October.

“Unlike when we posted for the town planner, we have received some good applications for that position.”

Precinct 4 Councilor Suzanne Swope asked if the job description of the assistant town manager position included grant writing.

Marino said it does, and that grant writing was a big part of the job for the former town planner, Rachel Kelly.

Precinct 2 Councilor John Munson asked about the deadline and qualifications for the position.

Marino said the application process will probably end next week, and then he will start an in-depth review of the resumes.

“Would someone need to have past assistant town manager experience or planning experience, or could it be someone that could be in the town who has actually done some grant writing and done some different committee work around town?” Munson asked.

Marino said the town will be looking at all resumes equally.

“Obviously, exact experience would be beneficial, but certainly we are considering all applicants,” said Marino.