Clarksburg to Offer Treasurer's Post to Longtime Banker
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board has voted to offer the job of treasurer/tax collector to a future resident of Clarksburg with long experience in banking.
The decision to offer the post to Darcy Feder was unanimous, with both attending members of the board and the rest of the screening committee agreeing she was the right choice at Wednesday's special meeting.
Feder, an assistant manager for TD Bank in Williamstown, impressed the committee with her financial background, personality and willingness to put Clarksburg first.
The town has been seeking a new treasurer since Ericka M. Oleson accepted a full-time position with the town of Stockbridge in December. She had been with the town four years.
The board and committee consisting of Town Administrator Rebecca Stone, Administrative Assistant Amy Cariddi and Northern Berkshire School Union Assistant Superintendent of Operations & Finance Jennifer Macksey interviewed four candidates for the post, with Macksey taking the lead on questions.
Feder was interviewed last week along with Angela Brothers, former treasurer in Stamford, Vt.; Diana Dobbert-Bump, administrative assistant for St. Joseph's Cemetery in Pittsfield; and Terry Green, the Rowe town treasurer.
The committee thought each candidate brought a perspective and level of experience but that Feder "checked all the boxes."
"I look at the value that they could bring to this position. And experience. No one's perfect in this position. I think, if you have some kind of background, that is important. But I think you can grow into this position," said Chairman Ronald Boucher. "I don't think it's such a demanding position where you got to have a top-notch person coming in right away. I think they have the background, and the abilities and the personality. I think personality plays a big, big, big piece in this."
Macksey said Feder would be her choice, because even though she didn't have municipal experience, she had a sound financial background and a personality that would fit well at Town Hall and with town residents.
"If you're looking for someone who can hit the ground running, there's no question Darcy is the person," agreed Stone.
Both Stone and Macksey had also liked Green, with Macksey saying she had been good to work with. Green had started in Rowe early last fall and expressed that she would be willing to be flexible but the town was looking for someone who could commit to a full 32 hours.
The Select Board has wanted to ensure that officials are available to residents and has planned -- when the pandemic is over -- to have at least the administrative assistant, town treasurer/tax collector and town clerk hold one full day at Town Hall.
The committee was also impressed with Feder's desire to participate in the community she will soon call home.
"I walked a way thinking she really wants to make a change in her career," said Macksey. "I think she will be a great addition."
She also urged the board not to shortchange its new employees on professional development, noting Feder will have to take classes to be certified. Boucher agreed that was important.
Boucher and Luchi both pointed to Feder's becoming part of the community as a plus as they felt she will care about what happens in the town.
"I was amazed by all of the applicants we got who were qualified for the position," Luchi said. "And those people who did come in to interview, interviewed very well, but as Jen, Rebecca and Amy all have said, I too feel that Darcy Feder would be the best candidate for our town treasuer/collector."
The Boucher and Luchi voted (board member Allen Arnold did not attend) to offer Feder the post based on 32 hours and a starting pay of $22.60 per hour.
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