Hiring an outstanding new town administrator is the top action item for the Select Board this spring with the announced retirement of Tim Bragan. As we face critical strategic and financial choices over the next five to 10 years, hiring the best talent should be the first objective.
We were surprised the Select Board declined to pursue engaging a recruiting firm to support the search committee at its last meeting. It appeared from the discussion that considering a recruiting firm did not enlighten the members to the benefits it would offer and may have been a penny-wise and pound-foolish decision given the $34 million budget a town administrator must manage.
Top recruiting firms multiply the range and talent of candidates; particularly, when as noted by the town administrator, there are few available applicants these days. They do this by maintaining lists of and relationships with top talent who they can call and encourage to apply—candidates who might not otherwise look at an advertisement, particularly on a single state site. They significantly increase the odds of recruiting candidates who are not just adequate, but great. That is why most private industry firms use recruiters for their executives, and our neighboring towns have done so in the past year for town administrators.
Top recruiting firms can help identify candidates who are more likely to meet the special needs of our community and Town Hall staff, reducing time wasted interviewing candidates that might not be a good fit. They also enable privacy for candidates who need to keep their search quiet. And they can handle the logistics privately and not put our town staff in the position of managing their successor or future manager.
Yes, it could cost $10,000 to $15,000, but the cost of delay to prepare next year’s budget, to manage and get up to speed on current town priorities, and to provide motivational leadership to town staff could be far more. No delay is associated with asking several firms for quotes and a proposal for their services and expertise, which they could provide in a week. This is not a $50,000 project that requires a 30-day RFP.
We encourage the Select Board to reconsider the benefits of a search firm.
Bruce Leicher and Ellen Sachs Leicher
Warren Avenue
