Date of Meeting: Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM –- 8:40 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton, Ken Sydow, Roger Deal
Others Present: Suzanne Olsen, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant;
Special Selectmen’s meeting called to interview personnel placement companies to search for and hire a
new Town Administrator.
6:30 PM:
Municipal Resources, Inc. , Meredith, NH
Brian Duggan, Mike Healy
· In business over 20 years.
· Mike is a retired police chief; Brian is a retired fire chief.
· Their comprehensive service includes recruitment and tenure guarantee.
· If a new hire doesn’t work out within 18 months, Municipal Resources will redo the entire assessment/placement process.
· Set standards/needs with client.
· Develop customized profile that candidates complete on computer and it provides a numeric “fit.”
· The Board will need to ID issues, define the roles a candidate is expected to play, and determine expectations in terms of management ability.
· Brian reviewed the entire process they would go through in finding a candidate.
· Fee is $12,500; add $3,000 for active recruitment and tenure guarantee clause.
Ken asked Brian how he compares Massachusetts candidates to other states. Brian said Massachusetts attracts stronger candidates from states farther away. Ken questioned the market for qualified Town Administrators for a town this size. Brian said he would first get a job description and do a benchmark survey.
Ken questioned their active recruitment process. Brian: Will research community, then ID and contact best fit.
Jim asked about availability. Brian said they could start in about two weeks. They would get candidates to interview about 45-60 days from then. Jim asked what percentage of jobs is filled from ad versus active recruitment. Brian said about 50/50.
7:15 PM:
Bennett Yarger Associates
Richard Kobayaski, President
· Recruitment service established in 1981.
· Mr. Kobayaski was elected Town Meeting member for 12 years.
· Their company will publish a document with Town Administrator profile/description and distribute.
· All reference checks done prior to interviewing. Once a finalist is decided upon, a full background check is completed.
· Typically 90-120 days turnaround time, total.
Jim asked what percentage of Town Administrators placed is from ads versus active recruitment. Richard said 60-75% is placed from ads. Their objective is to obtain five capable candidates to put before the Board. Roger asked him to explain in more detail the pre-selection process. Richard: We do telephone interviewing; asking why Boylston would be of interest to them. If all meet threshold qualifications, we bring to Selectmen and share information with them. Ken asked what the market looks like today for candidates? Richard said currently there is a shortage of qualified candidates. A lot of the Assistant Town Administrator positions have been eliminated, reducing the pool. Also, relocating usually means relocating two working spouses in a family and is not as easily done as
in the past.
Jim asked about availability. Richard said as soon as the contract is in place. Usually, the first step is arranging a visit here and speaking with some of the people here for a day or so. Jim asked how expenses run, over and above the $12,500 retainer fee. Richard said expenses could be $1,000 to $2,000, depending on where candidates are from. Ken asked if Richard already had any ideas of someone who might fit this position. Richard responded that he did not but once he reviews he would possibly contact some people ahead of time.
7:55 PM
Resource Management Associates, Tenley Park, Illinois
Charles Hall, President
Colton Sheldon (previously a consultant in Andover)__
· Established in 1981
· Background in law enforcement
· Mr. Sheldon was Assistant Town Manager in Andover 1973-1979.
· He lives in Andover.
· MMA Technical Consulting
Ken asked if they already had any potential candidates; not yet. Chuck said recruiters traditionally have a “pool” of candidates. His preference is to start from ground zero; the first task is to learn the town, the chemistry and personality. There is a crop of talented men and women, but only a few will fit. Roger asked if he is at a disadvantage, being located in Illinois. Chuck said he would rely heavily on Sheldon, but he has a heavy network of contacts to get in touch with by phone, as well. Their timeframe is approximately 90 days for placement
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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