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Date: 1/5/2022
BLANDFORD – The town of Blandford is seeking to fill the town administrator job vacated by Joshua Garcia when he left for his successful run for election as the mayor of Holyoke.
When Garcia went on unpaid leave to run the campaign, Wendy Foxmyn, who served as Blandford’s first town administrator back in 1984, stepped in as interim town administrator. She has since left the position.
On Nov. 15, Foxmyn reported to the Select Board that she had been working on a position description, editing the one used for the last search. The board approved the changes and the pay range for the position of $65,000 to $85,000, commensurate with experience. Blandford has 1,300 residents.
At the same meeting, the Select Board appointed a search committee to be chaired by David B. Hopson, town moderator and former Gateway Regional school superintendent. Committee members include Doris Jemiolo, town clerk; Jennifer Girard from the Board of Health; Paul Martin from the Planning Board; Mick Brennan from the Historical Commission; Karen Shaw, assistant treasurer-collector; Peter Langmore from the Municipal Light Board; Richard Barnard, retired Planning Board member; and Dick Hamel.
Hopson said as of Dec. 30, a dozen people had sent in resumes. The screening committee reviewed the
applications and chose four people to interview the first week in January. Hopson said there was a wide range of candidates, and the committee is hoping to choose two or three to recommend to the Select Board.
Once the candidates go to the Select Board, there will be a public process, and a virtual link to the final interviews.
“What we’re hoping to do is interview these four candidates, perform background checks, and refer them to the Select Board, who will interview the finalists,” Hopson said.
Hopson said the committee is hoping to move the candidates forward for the Jan. 10 Select Board meeting. He said the search committee met for the first time on Dec. 21, adding that it’s a little hard to go through the process over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday breaks.
“People wanted to get someone on board,” Hopson said. “Josh [Garcia] did such a good job here. The town is in a much better position. He demonstrated that the town needs a town administrator,” he added, saying Garcia approached things with an open mind and a professional manner, and people responded.
Hopson said regretfully that winning the mayoral race may have been good for Garcia and Holyoke, but not Blandford – a sentiment widely expressed in the town. “I wish him the best of luck in Holyoke as mayor,” Hopson said.
The job description is posted at www.townofblandford.com, and will remain open until the job is filled.
“I think because of the holidays, some may have missed the posting,” Hopson said.