ORANGE — The committee screening candidates for town administrator has narrowed the applicant pool to three finalists, but the acting administrator didn’t make the list and that has upset some Selectboard members.
Police Chief Craig Lundgren, the Search Committee’s chairman, presented each member of the Selectboard with a folder containing the three finalists’ resumes during a meeting Wednesday. The three names were not read publicly, although names of finalists for public jobs are public record.
Lundgren explained the Search Committee’s process and criteria in selecting the three finalists, who were selected from a list of 22 applicants, and that the committee selected them after private final interviews and meetings.
The next step in the process would be for the Selectboard to interview the finalists and later appoint one of them.
However, Selectboard Vice Chairman Ryan W. Mailloux objected to the results of the committee’s months-long search because it didn’t include Gabriele Voelker, the town’s finance director and treasurer, who is acting town manager — and a member of the search committee.
“I fear that what I’m going to say is going to come across as disrespectful, and I would like to strongly encourage you not to take it that way,” said Mailloux after looking at the three names with a sigh.
The issue came up during the public comments portion of the Selectboard meeting and was not on the agenda, meaning no decisions could be made legally on when and how the process would continue.
“It behooves me to sit here and truly state that if I look at the candidates, that we’re missing one candidate,” Voelker, Mailloux said.
Voelker has been the de facto town administrator for roughly a year, following Diana M. Schindler’s leave of absence and later resignation, made official on Aug. 11.
Mailloux asserted that Voelker’s work has made Orange “a significantly greater place,” has added experience to the municipal government, and that she has proved her abilities and dedication, whereas the selected finalists have not.
Mailloux said that “integrity could not have been used” in selecting the final three applicants.
“When people ask me, ‘what is wrong with the town of Orange,’ this is what they’re talking about,” Mailloux said.
He also added that, looking at the three submitted resumes, Voelker’s education exceeds at least two of the three finalists.
“I think there was some behind-the-scenes that led us to exclude possible candidates,” Mailloux said.
Lundgren, when questioned by newly seated Selectwoman Jane Peirce, said that experience working in municipal government, serving as a current town administrator and level of education were all important factors in choosing the best applicants.
“I know that every member of this committee has integrity,” said Lundgren, adding that the task of finding a potential town administrator was new to him and other members of the committee.
“We were given a job to do and we did the best job we could,” Lundgren said.
Peirce also agreed that Voelker should have been included among the applicants.
“I’m going to propose that we do four interviews and that we add Gabe as the fourth person to be interviewed as a common courtesy to somebody who has been doing a lot of work to the town as our finance director and has invested a fair amount of time and energy as our interim town manager,” Peirce said.
Newly elected Selectman Thomas J. Smith disagreed with Peirce and Mailloux.
“The committee narrowed it down to a list and I respect that,” Smith said.
“I respect your thoughts and opinions, but no disrespect to Gabe, I know you’ve worked very hard,” said Smith, addressing the fellow Selectboard members and Voelker, who was in the room.
“It’s just a slap in the face and the most unprofessional thing I’ve ever seen,” Mailloux responded.
“I don’t see how you can say it’s a slap in the face, unprofessional. They worked very hard they did lot of background work. It’s not as though they did it in a week,” Smith then responded.
Selectboard Chairman Richard Sheridan and Selectman James Cornwell were mostly reserved during the discussion, but Sheridan noted that such arguments are, in fact, helpful.
“That’s how you get things out there, so the people out there deserve to know where your head is at,” said Sheridan, pointing up toward the camera cablecasting the discussion from the room.
Sheridan did also say that if the Selectboard doesn’t follow the hiring process, then the process ought to be changed.
Lundgren, in closing, said that neither he nor the Search Committee takes the criticism personally, no matter how pointed, and that he appreciates the Selectboard members “ask(ing) the tough questions.”
No motions were made, as the Selectboard could not legally have done so, but the Selectboard agreed discussing how to proceed should be put on an official agenda.
The Selectboard will also have to determine hours and salary of whoever is chosen as town administrator.
Next Wednesday, March 28, the Selectboard will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall. The topic of town administrator is expected to be on the agenda, and the Selectboard members said they will review the three submitted resumes in the interim.