CONWAY — With Town Administrator Tom Hutcheson expected to finalize his contract with Dalton officials next week, the Conway Selectboard has expressed its preference for hiring an interim administrator as it begins the search process for someone to permanently fill the role.
“Tom would be leaving in about two months,” said Selectboard Chair Bob Armstrong. “But we would want to have somebody in place before that.”
Earlier this month, the Dalton Selectboard unanimously voted in favor of offering Hutcheson the town administrator position, pending contract negotiations. Hutcheson previously explained that per his contract with Conway, when he signs with Dalton, he’ll continue in his current role for 60 days.
In a conversation Monday night over how to begin the transition between administrators, the Selectboard largely favored hiring an interim administrator. Although expediting the search process would allow time for Hutcheson to show the new person the ropes, hiring an interim, members agreed, would allow for more time to find “the best person” for the job.
Tricia Vinchesi, a resident of Conway who previously served as town administrator in Scituate, told the board that the market is getting competitive for town administrators.
“A lot of town administrators are retiring, I think, after 13 months of the pandemic,” she said. “So I agree with … the sentiment of the board that you probably want to get an interim and do a thorough search and get the right person.”
She advised the Selectboard to decide, before naming an interim, whether that person will be eligible to apply for the permanent position.
“There’s advantages to both,” she said.
Vinchesi added that the interim administrator can be as involved in the search process as the town decides.
She advised Hutcheson to review his job description and make sure it is up to date and reflective of all his current duties.
“A good manager will typically leave, as Tom is, once your budget is set for the fiscal year,” she said. “Tom’s leaving you in good hands; he’s given you a budget that’s not 100 percent complete, but is almost complete.”
The Selectboard expects to continue its discussion on the interim town administrator job posting and selection process at its meeting on Monday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. via Zoom.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne