LYNNFIELD — All selectmen want for Christmas is a new town administrator.
Facing a budget crunch for the coming fiscal year, selectmen Chairman Christopher Barrett said he’d like to see a replacement for outgoing Town Administrator James Boudreau in place by the end of December. Boudreau recently accepted the town administrator position in Scituate.
The board is working with consultant Bernard Lynch of Plymouth-based Community Paradigm Associates to search for a new administrator. Lynch said he originally proposed a longer timeline to bring in a new administrator, but said a constricted schedule is a possibility.
“I recognize the challenges you have as a town, particularly with the budget issues you are addressing and trying to move this along,” said Lynch. “I’ve been talking to people who are interested in looking at the job. There are not a great number of jobs in this region, and there is interest in this town, so I think I can probably expedite the process for you.”
Lynch said there will have to be a great deal of cooperation and coordination between his firm, town officials, and the town’s administrator screening committee to help make the rapid deadline a reality.
The process includes advertising the position while setting up meetings with town department heads and the public to get a feel for the community and an idea of the qualities those stakeholders are looking for in a new administrator.
A community forum led by Lynch to get input on the search is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29 at the Al Merritt Media and Cultural Center at 600 Market Street.
Selectmen met with Lynch Wednesday night to lay out their wishes on the expectations for the position, as well as on compensation.
The three board members all pointed to the need for someone with a healthy amount of financial management experience.
“It is something where years of experience make a big difference,” said Selectman Phil Crawford. “We don’t want someone who is cutting their teeth on the town of Lynnfield’s budget.”
Barrett and Selectman Richard Dalton also said financial management is important, but both said the town should leave open the possibility of an “outside-the-box” candidate who might have experience outside the role of a municipal administrator.
There was also some discussion on the salary that will be listed on the ad for the position. Boudreau makes $187,000, but Barrett said there’s an opportunity to bring in a qualified candidate at a lower salary.
Barrett suggested the town advertise the position at $160,000, but Crawford said he would rather see a range of $160,000-$180,000 so that more candidates would be encouraged to apply.
“I don’t think we should nickel and dime the most important position in town,” said Crawford, who added that three years ago, the town posted an ad for town administrator stating the position paid $175,000.
Eventually, the board settled on advertising the position at $160,000-plus, with Lynch stating that the “plus” gives the town some wiggle room to move up on the salary.
Boudreau’s last day in Lynnfield is Dec. 15. Earlier this month, selectmen appointed Robert Curtin, the assistant to the town administrator as the interim town administrator while the search process is underway.
