LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen have agreed to set up a five-member search committee for a town manager and have two selectmen look for an interim manager in the meantime.
For now, Chairman Jim Long, with backup from Vice Chairman Ernie Souther, will handle town manager duties.
Amanda Allen Submitted photo
Town Manager Amanda Allen resigned as of Tuesday. A settlement agreement is expected to be released once it is finalized and signed by all parties.
Long said he spoke with attorneys from Eaton Peabody law firm based in Bangor who would be willing to handle recruitment, including advertising, reviewing applications, screening candidates, conducting background checks and making a recommendation to the board. The total cost would be $8,000.
Vice Chairman Ernie Souther said he believed the board has the experience to conduct a search, which it has done before, at no cost to the town. If the committee doesn’t find a candidate, he said, Eaton Peabody would be the next step.
Selectman Will Kenniston said using the firm would be a good move because it’s an important decision and they know what they are doing.
“In the past the Select Board had taken the applications, done the interviews,” Souther said. “I don’t see why we couldn’t do it. I think we should see what we can find” without spending a lot of money.
He suggested advertising in a variety of places and setting a limit of 10 days for applications to be submitted.
Souther and Selectmen Bruce Peary will be on the search committee and will select three others, including community members.
“Good things are worth waiting for,” Souther said.
Long said he was told it takes two to three months to get a town manager in place.
He and Selectmen Jim Cyr will be in charge of finding an interim town manager, who would probably be needed for about three months.
“I would like to have someone in place as soon as possible,” Long said, adding he is not willing to sacrifice quality.
Town Clerk Doris Austin said one application for town manager has been submitted.
In another matter, Long said he and Budget Committee Chairwoman Sharon Bailey talked with auditors who have not completed audits for 2020-21 and 2021-22. He is worried if they don’t have them by September the grant money for the Livermore Falls Treatment Plant will be lost.
“It is very important we get these audits done,” he said.
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