MONTAGUE — Maureen Pollock, who serves as Amherst’s planner, is slated to succeed Walter Ramsey as town planner in Montague, with contract negotiations now underway.
Pollock was unanimously selected as the hiring committee’s first choice for the job in advance of last week’s Selectboard meeting. She was one of three candidates interviewed by the committee, which met seven times since being formed in September. The candidate search and hiring process follows Ramsey’s acceptance of the newly created assistant town administrator position over the summer.
Pollock, along with fellow finalist Angela Wheeler, were in attendance during last week’s virtual meeting as Jen Audley, chair of the hiring committee, briefed the Selectboard.
“They have credentials, experience and talents that would be welcome in the next leader of Montague’s Planning Department,” Audley said. “We enjoyed meeting with them both and we believe that either could be a great addition to Town Hall.”
“We had a really great pool for this position,” Town Administrator Steve Ellis added. “I think they were exceptional and we’re very fortunate to have that opportunity.”
Pollock, who declined to provide further comment to the Greenfield Recorder during contract negotiations, argued in her cover letter that her “educational background and professional experience make (her) an excellent candidate for this position.” Previously, she served as Greenfield’s assistant planner, as an outreach intern for the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition, and as an intern for planning departments in Amherst and Springfield. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Framingham State University and a master’s degree in regional planning from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
As Amherst’s planner, her responsibilities include assisting various boards, including the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Design Review Board, by writing grant applications and helping with planning projects. Recent projects have included drafting and presenting proposed zoning changes, creating a townwide Pedestrian and Bicycle Network Plan and updating Amherst’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/504 Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.
Audley said the hiring committee was persuaded by Pollock’s “direct experience in this sort of role.” Pollock’s recent endeavors, Audley said, have been “projects that are directly relevant to the needs of our town.”
“We’re also confident that because of that experience, she will be able to assume the planner’s projects and responsibilities without needing to have a lot of transitional training or support,” Audley commented, adding that Pollock is “well-known for her work ethic and for the contributions that she’s made to community life” in the region.
The Selectboard opted to have Ellis and Pollock finalize a contract, which Ellis will then bring back to an upcoming Selectboard meeting.
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.