ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen's search for a new Department of Public Works director started months ago with more than a handful of applicants. 

 

The list was narrowed to three and then narrowed further when only two were called back for second interviews. Ultimately they ended up with one.

 

North Adams DPW Assistant Commissioner Paul Markland withdrew from consideration on Friday leaving Robert Tober as the only remaining candidate. 

 

The board discussed the potential hiring at length last week and were split on the two applicants. The decision was made to hold a second round of interviews Monday night. Even with Markland backing out, Tober still made the trip from his current home in Millville to interview with the board again and tour facilities with Town Administrator Jay Green. 

 

Green said Tober met most of the other DPW employees and that everything was generally positive.

 

"We started at the wastewater treatment plant and we met Superintendent (Robert) Rumbolt. Mr. Tober asked some good inquisitive questions. Bob took him right out to the aeration basins and talked about a lot of his capital improvement concerns and the concrete issues he's having. They got along pretty well," Green said. "Then we went over to the garage and met with the guys. It was a good conversation as far as just meeting each other. He looked over the fleet and asked some good questions. Spoke to the chief mechanic Mr. Schaffrick. He was listening very intently. He wasn't interrupting anybody. He was taking it all in."

 

Tober is aware the DPW has been running without a director for nearly two years but thinks he can bring a missing element.

 

"What I think I would bring is an administrative aspect and an ability to look to the future. Being able to help design and run new projects. The ball has been rolling by itself for a year and a half. You have good people in place so townspeople must be asking, 'If we can operate without a director why are we getting a new one?' You have to be able to substantiate that with good reason," Tober said.

 

Tober has a background in both landscape and construction and currently works for Caritas Communities as a property manager. 

 

 The position carries a salary range of $66,000-$86,000, which the town has previously budgeted. The board voted unanimously to offer the job to Tober and should he accept, they expect him to start in January pending a physical.