WENDELL — The Selectboard used part of Wednesday’s meeting to discuss how to hire a new town administrator in light of Nancy Aldrich’s impending retirement.
Aldrich, who also serves as New Salem’s town administrator as part of a partnership between the two towns, plans to step down in early September, though she will probably use some vacation days in August. She said her final full month of work will likely be July.
Aldrich was hired 18 years ago following a dual-board interview process, and she recommends the same method be applied to her replacement, which she suggested should continue serving both towns.
“My thought was, it’s worked for almost 30 years. I think it works well,” Aldrich said during Wednesday’s meeting. “I think you do need to get the right person in the job. I don’t think it’s the right job for everyone.”
Aldrich clarified for the Greenfield Recorder that Wendell and New Salem have shared a town administrator for 28 years. She took over from Marjorie McGinnis, who left to take her current job as town administrator in Leverett.
“I think they hired somebody who stayed a month and left, and then somebody else was hired in May who by the end of the summer still hadn’t moved to Western Mass. I was actually the third choice,” she recounted Wednesday to a round of laughter.
The idea had previously been floated to have Wendell and New Salem hire their own exclusive full-time town administrators, but Aldrich said that will double the cost to each town.
“And I don’t think that’s a great idea, especially in light of our financial situations,” she said. “I don’t think each town is ready to kick in twice as much money.”
The members of the Wendell and New Salem selectboards who were present praised Aldrich for her work and dedication to the towns, and told her she will be missed.
“It was obviously a good choice,” Wendell Selectboard Chair Dan Keller said of Aldrich’s hiring, “and congratulations on making the 18 years, and thank you for everything you’ve done for the town.”
Keller mentioned the two boards came together for the interview process 18 years ago and he asked members if they were on board with keeping it that way.
“It sounds good to me. The only question I have is, are we going to propose that the new appointee serves both towns,” New Salem Selectboard member Wayne Hachey said, bringing up the topic, “which I’m in favor of. I think it’s been working well and I would like to continue with that.”
Keller seconded that sentiment.
“We partner with New Salem on quite a few things and I think all of them are working out pretty well,” he said.
Wendell Selectboard members Laurie DiDonato and Gillian Budine agreed, as did New Salem Selectboard member Jean Derderian.
New Salem Selectboard Chair Randy Gordon mentioned a large interview committee can be intimidating to a candidate, and asked when and where the position will be advertised. Mid-May was mentioned as a possibility.
Aldrich said she does not know how long it will take to acclimate a replacement, though August and September are typically the slowest times of the year for her position.
“That’s a good time for somebody to come into the position,” she said before mentioning she will be available for help. “I’m a phone call away if somebody is stuck.”
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.