LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen plan to review proposals and prices on Monday for an executive search to be conducted to find a new town manager.
The board will also be looking at appointing an interim town manager during a special meeting, which will start at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at the town office. Chairman Bill Demaray had previously asked that an executive session be added to the agenda in case there is a need to negotiate salary.
Selectmen are also expected to review a study Chaousis has done on police services and what the 1 percent of the residents who offered input have said they would like to see.
Current Town Manager Jim Chaousis will be moving to the town manager job in Boothbay as of Nov. 29. He is trying wrap up loose ends in Livermore Falls before he goes.
Chaousis has gathered four different proposals to conduct the town manager search. Demaray previously said the board will also look at the option of the board conducting the search.
Chaousis is recommending Municipal Resources Inc.
“They are very thorough and guarantee results,” Chaousis wrote in a memo to the board. They are also the most expensive option, he said.
The firm would charge $7,500 to provide the executive search. This does not include the cost of advertising or reimbursement of candidate travel expenses or the cost of the optional background check, if the client elects this option.
The proposal lists one through 20 steps.
Once those are followed and someone is hired, the company has a guarantee. If either the candidate or the town should terminate within 12 months, Municipal Resources will provide their services to undertake another recruitment and selection process. The guarantee would not apply if there is a death or catastrophic illness of a selected candidate or if a newly elected board majority terminates or forces resignation of the town manager.
Under the provisions of the guarantee, there would be no cost for the business’ services. The town would still be responsible for advertising, reimbursement of candidate travel expenses and the cost of the optional background check.
The other options are from Eaton Peabody Consulting Group at $4,500, consultant Michael C. Wing, $4,700, or the Maine Municipal Association, $4,900.
It didn’t appear that the other firms’ proposals had a guarantee clause.
Eaton Peabody’s proposal calls for the town to be responsible for reimbursements of direct expenses such as mileage, printing and advertising services and any other expenses incurred, plus the candidates’ expenses. The firm is not available to start until Nov. 20, Chaousis said in his memo to the board.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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