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Select Board, Del Castilho hash out timetable for new town manager

Date: 10/22/2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW — The Select Board began its discussions with new Acting Town Manager Barry Del Castilho on the search for a permanent town manager at its Oct. 15 meeting.

Select Board Chair Paul Santaniello opened the topic by stating how impressed he was that Del Castilho was ready and willing to jump into the discussion so soon after starting work in Longmeadow. Del Castilho's first day was Oct. 10.

"In a discussion with Barry, I had made a comment that I would like to see him get a couple of meetings under his belt before we get started and his reply was, 'No. Let's get started now,'" he said.

Select Board member Marie Angelides started the discussion with a question of whether or not, given the timing of the previous searches, it would be prudent to begin advertising the position again soon.

"It takes a while for [the ad] to be in and to accumulate resumes, so I wanted to start the discussion and see if this would be the right time to take our old ad and put it back in again where it was before," she said.

Del Castilho, who has conducted searches of this nature, including helping South Hadley find two town administrators, told the board that he felt the town should put together a time frame for the search and explained that with his experience he could come up with recommendations for the board to consider.

"Probably one of the first things to do is to put forward a timetable," he said. "I can probably give you a couple — the shortest one possible and others that I may recommend for various reasons."

Del Castilho said that if the board was satisfied with the process it used previously to search for a town manager, which resulted in two unsuccessful attempts to negotiate contracts with candidates and ultimately the hiring of Del Castilho to a temporary position, then the board could push forward without delay, but there was an opportunity to amend aspects of the job listing.

"If you are satisfied with the ad and the profile and everything from the last time around except for the results, then there is no reason to deviate from that," he said. "If you have recommendations for changes, you should let me know so we can discuss them."

Santaniello recommended that the board have an opportunity to review the ad and make any recommendations to Del Castilho after Selectman Mark Barowsky pointed out that he had not had the opportunity to see the previous employment listing.

Del Castilho also stated that while timing is not crucial for publication as most listing are posted electronically, the board should be aware of certain timetables are better for results in terms of response from potential candidates.

"An important piece of it is when the ads are placed," he said. "From Thanksgiving to Christmas is probably not a good time [and] summer time is not a good time. But if you are ready to go, I think this is a good time."

Gold questioned whether or not the board would want to restrict the search to candidate who had worked within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and said that the board should specify its goals in that area prior to posting the position.

"I think we started in that mode, or at least there was some strong consideration given that way, and I think that [we should have] and idea of how broad we are looking," he said.

Angelides agreed and added that the board should discuss the issue of experience requirements and that a salary range should also be decided upon.

Del Castilho advised against limiting the search to those who worked in Massachusetts, point out that prior to serving in Amherst as the Town Manager for 23 years, he was from North Carolina. He also suggested the board use the language of "preferred experience" as opposed to required experience to avoid missing qualified applicants who may be just under whatever requirement they choose.

Santaniello said that the board would continue discussion on the topic at its next meeting.

"Our next meeting is to take care of the warrant articles [for the fall Town Meeting] and we can add this to the discussion, because as Barry said, now is a good time," he said.