The decision to form a search committee for a new town administrator has officially been made by the Board of Selectmen now that they voted 4-1 not to extend the contract of the current Town Administrator Jack McFeeley beyond October 1, the expiration date of his contract. The search committee is comprised of five members: Peter Marinelli, George “Chip” Hines, Steve Thomas, Liz Valerio, and Jerry McGovern. Bob Bogardus and Dan Vieira are the two alternates.
The committee is tasked with finding a town administrator to manage the business of Wrentham during a very difficult financial time, and they’ve been asked to think outside the box. Selectman Joe Botaish says the new person doesn’t have to be a professional town administrator but may be someone from the private sector. “This person may not have municipal experience, but might have private sector experience that could be adapted to municipal capacity and easily adapted to a great town administrator,” he says.
Steve Langley, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, was the only vote to keep McFeeley beyond October 1st if necessary in order to provide the town some flexibility if a suitable candidate was not found immediately. “I respect the vote that was taken,” he wrote in an email, “But I know firsthand how difficult running the town can be without someone in the role of town administrator.”
Despite Langley’s position it was the feeling of several board members that it was important to let McFeeley know his status. “To leave him hanging without knowing his future was not right,” Botaish said.
The new town administrator will need to handle the day to day tasks of the position, be a strong communicator with staff, boards, businesses and residents, and manage the town’s budget, Langley believes. Furthermore this person will need to look for ways to enhance the town’s revenue. “I think that the ability to communicate and manage will be the key,” Langley wrote. “That sounds something like a no brainer, but it takes a varied skill set to be able to effectively do those within a job as difficult as a town administrator. I am also looking for someone with the necessary creativity to navigate through these turbulent times and look for creative solutions for our many problems.”
The current plan for the committee is to identify three potential candidates for the position and bring them before the Selectmen. Both Langley and Botaish agree the committee is filled with talented people. “It is a great mix on the committee,” says Botaish. “It is going to be a win/win for Wrentham.”
“I am just amazed at the amount of people with excellent backgrounds who wanted to help us in this endeavor,” Langley wrote. “This committee is excellent. The five members, plus the two alternates who have all the same power as a regular member except for a vote, are an excellent cross section of the town citizenry.”
