Webber to Fill Cheshire Interim Town Administrator Position
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Former town administrator Mark Webber has agreed to return to Cheshire to serve in the same position in an interim capacity.
Chairwoman Michelle Francesconi updated the board Tuesday that Webber had agreed to come back and can be appointed next week.
"I know he enjoyed his time in Cheshire," Francesconi said. "It is positive."
Town Administrator Edmund St. John IV resigned earlier this month. He had been hired after Webber retired in 2018 after serving the town for almost 10 years. St. John, a practicing attorney, said he felt he to chose between his clients and his town duties.
The Selectmen have hired an outside attorney to assist the board in the search for a new administrator but members agreed they wanted someone in place in the interim so the burden of running the town did not fall in their hands entirely while they conduct a search. They felt this search for a permanent administrator could take upwards of a year.
Francesconi proposed a $55 an hour rate and suggested Webber work 12 hours a week. She noted that Webber prefers to work in town.
"He could do a Tuesday perhaps. Work his 12-hour day then come to our board meeting at night," she said. "He does want to work in town and not remotely."
This would be finalized next week when the Selectmen actually vote on the appointment.
Francesconi said she hoped Webber could start immediately after.
"That would be my hope," she said. "As soon as possible."
She is currently handling many of the town administrator duties.
The board is still leaning toward hiring a consultant to help with the search. Francesconi said she has yet to reach out to the Massachusetts Municipal Association about the process but learned the consultant fee would have to come from the reserve fund.
"I think hiring a consultant is a good idea," Selectman Mark Biagini said. "Before we are in way over our head."
