Clarksburg Administrator Tapped for North Adams Post
 Michael Canales, seen here at last year's Clarksburg town meeting, is a city native and resident. He's been town adminstrator for 11 years. |
Mayor Richard Alcombright has appointed Clarksburg Town Administrator Michael Canales to the post that's been void since Jay Green left last year. Canales' start date is March 5.
"I think Mike brings that municipal experience that will be a help to me and other departments," said Alcombright on Thursday. "I laid out plans for this year, initiatives for this year but I've got things on my desk that are getting in the way ... I've got to focus on bigger and better things and the only way is to get that post filled."
The mayor had hoped to put off filling the post until around the end of the fiscal year or later but the tipping point was a Department of Justice audit of the city that arrived two weeks ago. The complexity of that document on ADA compliance plus the Department of Revenue Financial Management Review and upcoming budget highlighted how critical the post was to day-to-day operations, he said.
Canales, a city native and resident, was one of the top three finalists of some 25 applications received last year. But the position was left unfilled as city officials struggled to contain a hefty budget deficit and a failed Proposition 2 1/2 override.
Funding for the post was budgeted for the last half of fiscal 2012 but then some of that money was apportioned to continue Public Safety Commissioner E. John Morocco on a part-time status. Alcombright said there should be enough in the line item for the administrative post for the last few months of the year
Canales has been administrator in Clarksburg for 11 years and has filled in for numerous posts during that time, including emergency management coordinator and assessor. Alcombright pointed to Canales' work with state and federal agencies for the town as well as in cooperation with the city.
While the past two administrative officers — Green and Katherine Eade — have been lawyers, Alcombright was ready for someone with more municipal administrative and financial experience.
"Mike brings that administrative experience. He knows and understands us," said the mayor, adding he's known Canales for years. "I know he's looking out for what's best for North Adams."
"I saw the position and decided I wanted to explore the possibility of ajob that had responsibilities on a larger scale and thought I'd like that challenge," said Canales. "I think it's still going to be pretty similar [to what Green and Eade] did. They need somebody adminstratively down there to oversee the financial offices. I've been doing that here in Clarksburg but what's obviously changing is the scale."
Clarksburg Selectmen Chairwoman Debra Lefave said the board has been aware of Canales' interest in pursuing new opportunities.
"He was one of the best administrators we ever had and believe me, he will be missed, really really missed," said Lefave, adding that Canales could fill anybody's shoes in the town government and often went above and beyond his responsibilities. "It's very rare to find somebody that dedicated."
The Clarksburg job will be posted by Friday and Lefave said the deadline for applications is Feb. 5. Alcombright said he didn't want to leave Clarksburg "high and dry" and that both he and Canales were willing to work something out if the town couldn't find an adminstrator by March 5.
"If we need to, we can work it out to make sure the town and the city are taken care of," said Canales.
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