Atkinson may be close to hiring new administrator

From the Eagle Tribune;

Atkinson may be close to hiring new administrator
By Eric Parry
eparry@eagletribune.com

ATKINSON — The town is close to hiring an administrator after the job has been vacant for more than seven months.

Selectmen Chairman Fred Childs said the board made an offer to a candidate on Aug. 28 and hopes to know by Tuesday whether he will accept the position.

The candidate, who Childs declined to identify, is retiring from another community in the state and would likely start on Sept. 14 if he accepts the town's offer, Childs said.

The candidate has been offered a three-year contract, but Childs declined to reveal the salary until the offer has been accepted.

The candidate interviewed with the board twice and has been in regular communication with the three selectmen over the last several weeks, Childs said.

"He seems like he's interested," Childs said.

Atkinson has been without a town administrator since January, when Steven Angelo resigned abruptly.

Board members advertised the position in late May and received about 30 applications, which they reviewed over the last several months.

In August, the three selectmen met with six former selectmen to review applications and discuss who might be a good fit for the job.

A candidate, whose name was not released, was offered the job in April. When that person gave notice to his or her employer, Atkinson's offer was matched and they turned down Atkinson's offer. That candidate had remained from the search conducted when Angelo was hired. No salary range was specifically stated in the job advertisement.

Prior to Angelo, Atkinson went through two town administrators in a year.