SUNDERLAND — With a contract executed by the Selectboard, Sunderland’s next town administrator will step into the role on Nov. 12.

Rebecca Torres, Shutesbury’s longtime town administrator, will serve in Sunderland’s position following a search process that saw her interviewed alongside three other candidates.

The Selectboard opted for the veteran administrator, who has served in her current role since 2009, because of her long-term commitment to Shutesbury and her familiarity with Franklin County.

Alongside her 15 years as town administrator, Torres served as Shutesbury’s Selectboard chair from 2002 to 2009 and also spent six years on the Finance Committee from 1994 to 2000.

“Sunderland is one of our special neighbors … they’re a little bit larger, new challenges, but at the same time, there are many familiar elements in their budget and in their structure,” Torres said. “I feel like its a good fit for me … The community really seems to be supportive of ther town officials, people work hard and there’s a mixture of volunteers that I’ve met so far that are awesome. I’m excited about the change.”

She highlighted the town’s village center visioning initiative as an intriguing aspect of the town and said dealing with the town’s budget, which has been tight over the last several years, will be a good challenge for her, especially with her financial focus.

As she moves on from Shutesbury, Torres said the goodbyes have been “much harder than I thought it was going to be,” but people have been stopping in to her office and offering well wishes.

“It’s a strange feeling, but it’s good,” she said of moving on from her community. “I think, for me, it’s the best next step.”

The Selectboard voted to accept Torres’ three-year contract with a $104,623 salary on Monday. In negotiating the contract, Torres asked to have her cost-of-living-adjustment match the same amount non-union town employees get, according to Selectboard Chair Nathaniel Waring.

Sunderland has been searching for a town administrator since Geoff Kravitz left the position at the end of July to take a state role after four years with the community. Former Sunderland town administrator and longtime public servant Margaret Nartowicz has served as interim town administrator over the last several months.

“She’s picking up where Geoff left off and so we are starting her at the same pay he was at when he left. Most of the minutiae is the same as before,” Waring said. “The main difference, which I think is a very positive thing for leadership in the town, is Becky has requested … to have her pay increases be tied to the COLA that the town employees get … which I think is a great motion on her part to have parity with the other members of the town.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.