Board slates town manager interview questions

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen will host an open session to finalize questions and interview procedures for town manager candidates in Town Hall?s First Floor Conference Room today at 8:45 a.m.According to Board of Selectmen member Maureen Dever, the purpose is to determine what questions to ask the four candidates to eliminate duplication efforts from previous interviews with the search committee. The search committee?s work, spearheaded by Josh Dellheim, Peter Rossetti and Bob Cox, is now complete.Each candidate will be allotted one hour, and Saugus Community Television, Inc. will broadcast the sessions.But there are issues she envisions brewing.?I would like to see their previous experience in areas of municipal budget and understanding of municipal law,” Dever said. “Saugus has an $81 million budget, and knowing how to work with it is absolutely critical to the success of the community. I would also like to hear from candidates their familiarity with school building assistance program regarding the new high school. We?re embarking on a capital improvement plan.”Besides familiarity with flood negotiation regarding the Saugus River and zoning developments, she hopes to learn about individuals? management style as well as their experience.?I have such an incredible positive feeling about the search committee,” Dever said. “It?s the first time I can recall that such a committee looked at 30 applications, interviewed nine candidates and brought four extremely qualified candidates to us.?The process of having another set of eyes with our certain criteria is a fabulous process, and I?m pleased with their professionalism and efficiency,” she said.Dever said the choice will be to move forward or regress, but she believes the person will be chosen to move the community forward.Selectman Steve Castinetti also looks for similar qualities.?I?m looking for someone who has the education, experience, training and the result to succeed in this position,” Castinetti said. “I?ve always believed residency isn?t a requirement to be successful. Look at where it got us in the last round,” referring to former town manager Scott Crabtree (who lives in the town).Castinetti said all four finalists are still within the geographic scope, and that location gives them a leg up on it.?We?ll probably go deeper in the trenches than the selection committee interviews,” Castinetti said. “We went to great extent to make sure selectmen weren?t involved in the screening process.”Anthony Ansaldi, of Malden, will be interviewed Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m., followed by Mark Rees, of North Andover, at 8 p.m.Next in line will be Sean Fitzgerald, of Peabody, Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m., followed by David Van Dam, of Swampscott, at 9 p.m.Board of Selectmen Clerk Wendy L. Reed said the interviews will be followed by discussion.?Future dates for interviews will be determined if needed,” Reed said.She said the Board of Selectmen will discuss the finalists and scheduled interviews Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall auditorium, pending the storm.Castinetti said a question and answer session after the interviews may be in the works.Search committee member Josh Dellheim said he and his team hit a wide range of topics, from asking the candidates what their core values are to how their experience is applicable as the next town manager. As far as specifics, they got into where they stand on affordable housing.?All four shined in their expertise, Dellheim said. “We assume the board will cover more in-depth questions. Although our work is done, if any selectman needs assistance, we?ll still be available. It?s in our best interest to see the end result, because we?re really excited about all four candidates.”