Adams Narrowing Down Town Administrator Applicants
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ADAMS, Mass. — The Town Administrator Search Committee may begin its semi-final round of interviews this weekend.
The Board of Selectmen discussed details at its Wednesday workshop meeting about the interview process. Search Committee member Erica Girgenti, who attended the meeting, said they could start as early as this weekend.
Girgenti said they have narrowed the applicants down to six, but could receive more. She said because of the way the ad is written, people can still apply. She added one of the applicants applied after the date and committee members decided to interview the person because of the resume.
Most of the candidates live close by, but one of the candidates has to drive 16 hours for an interview with the committee.
She asked the board what its position would be if the candidate asked for travel compensation. The committee has said a video interview is an option.
Because these are preliminary interviews, (the top four candidates the committee picks will be interviewed by the selectmen) Selectman Richard Blanchard said a video interview would suffice.
"Personally at this stage at that distance I would suggest a video conference," Blanchard said. "But when the finalists come to the board we will have to talk about it."
Selectman Jeffrey Snoonian agreed with Blanchard and said he does not believe compensation for an interview is appropriate.
"Most interviews nowadays, especially so-called first-round interviews, are done electronically," Snoonian said. "Sixteen hours it is really a three-day trip; the drive down, have the interview, and drive back.”
Selectman Joseph Nowak had differing opinions from his fellow selectmen and said he would be much more comfortable if the candidate actually met with the committee.
"When I interview someone I like to see them, and you can tell more about their mannerisms and who they are," Nowak said. "I have seen Skype where the transmission is poor, it breaks up, and you don't get a good feel for the person."
Nowak said he would be comfortable paying for half of the candidate's traveling expenses.
"If we want to end up with the best we have to give the selection committee, [we have give them] a chance to sell their wares to us," he said. "I would be happy to perhaps pay half as long as the person submitted a voucher to us."
Nowak said if the candidate makes the trek and does not ask for money, it may say something about their integrity.
Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington said offering a reimbursement may cause issues with the other candidates.
"If we are going to offer it to the guy that has to drive 16 hours, do we offer something to the guy or gal that has to drive four hours?" Harrington said. "It seems fair to me if you are going to offer one person something, you should let everybody involved know and at what distance do you draw the line?"
Harrington said whatever choice they decide to make must be made soon.
"We have to wait until they ask us for the money then we have to discuss it and go through it," he said. "It will put us behind our time line to get this done."
Any money the board decides to spend will come out of the town administrator account that has additional money because of the vacant position.
Tags: search committee, town administrator,
