New manager should be in place next month

By Cary Shuman

editor@winthroptranscript.com

Winthrop should have its new town manager in place by the middle of next month.

Town Council President Thomas Reilly said more than 40 candidates have applied for the position and the selection committee should be completed with the interview process by early May, setting the stage for the appointment of new town manager by mid-May.

Larry Holmes has been serving as the interim town manager since former Town Manager Rick White left to become town manager in Dennis.

A selection committee composed of Winthrop residents Peter Finn, Paul Leavy, Larry Powers, Carole Lederman, and Marie Turner has been working with the Collins Center at the University of Massachusetts-Boston in the selection process.

The deadline for applications was March 31. “We received inquiries from a variety of applicants from throughout this state and from other states, and there were some very good local candidates,” said Reilly. “I’m very happy with the large number of candidates that applied for the position.”

The selection committee will forward its recommendation to Reilly. Depending on the number of finalists the committee recommends, Reilly could invite the finalists to appear at a Town Council meeting.

“I’d like to see the selection committee give me three recommendations to consider,” said Reilly. “But the number of finalists is still to be determined, based on how the process goes.”

Reilly said the town’s attention has been more focused on the Proposition 2 1/2 override election on May 19 than the town manager selection process.

“As the selection of our town manager gets closer, it will start to get more attention,” said Reilly. “My goal is to get this thing done as soon as possible, but take the time necessary to find the best qualified person.”