Cheshire Picks Jennifer Morse of Ashfield as Town Administrator
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Jennifer Morse of Ashfield has been selected as the new town administrator for Cheshire.
The Board of Selectmen met Tuesday night to pick between three candidates for the position. The other two were Kathleen Degnan, former solicitor of Pittsfield, and Alicia Fonash-Willet, assistant town clerk and information technology coordinator for Durham, Conn.
The board chatted only briefly on this topic, suggesting that most, if not all, members had already made their decisions coming into the meeting.
According to Chairwoman Michelle Francesconi, Morse "would provide us with the most seamless transition," as interim Town Administrator Mark Webber leaves. Morse has grant-writing experience, of which board members approved. She also has experience as she is currently the town administrator for Ashfield.
The board voted unanimously to approve Morse as administrator. Webber said he would present contract drafts to the board members so that they could begin negotiations on salary and benefits.
The one potential hiccup with Morse's approval is that the town has never had a full-time administrator. The Finance Board and Webber have budgeted for a full-time administrator for fiscal year 2022, but this budget is subject to approval by the annual town meeting. That takes place next Monday, June 14, at 6:30 in the Hoosac Valley Middle and High School gymnasium.
If the town decides not to approve that budget item, Morse has said she would not accept the position.
This year's part-time salary was $40,000. The proposed full-time salary for next year is $85,000. Webber noted that most surrounding towns, including small towns with populations under 3,500, have full-time town administrators. The average of those towns' salaries for their administrators is around $80,000, which is roughly what Cheshire has budgeted for next year.
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