Winchester Town Manager Search Continues

The search for the continued on Monday night.

The heard public input from residents about some of the attributes they would like to see in the next manager.

Selectmen chair, Forrest Fontana said that the goal of this search is to move forward, in order to pick the best candidate.

“The purpose of this is to have a constructive dialogue,” Fontana said. “I don’t want people judging or criticizing past Town Managers.”

According to Dan McGurl, Director of Assessors, he would like to see the town bring back Assistant Town Manager Mark Twogood as the next Town Manager. before

“If we’re asked to do it again, I would bring it into the public session and vote Twogood in again,” McGurl said. “It would speed up the process and you know what you’re getting. Unfortunately the process went sour for the people. I think we have the candidate in town, if it’s brought into public session, maybe we can work out a contract.”

But according to Selectman Roger Berman, this search won’t be confined to the town of Winchester.

“At this point, we’re going to have a nationwide search,” Berman said. “Anybody is welcome to put in an application and enter the process.”

Salisbury Street resident, Joe Peters, also did not prefer a nationwide search, saying that with all the nuances of Massachusetts municipal government – no county government, Proposition 2 ½ and education reform – he would prefer a more local candidate.

However, Planning Board member, Drew Bottaro, would like to see the town find a strong managerial person for the position, while looking outside of the current staff.

“At times the board has drifted into the Town Manager roles,” Bottaro said. “We need to let the Town Manager be an executive. The successful candidate will be from outside the Town Hall staff. “

The board will continue to accept public comment, while the Search Advisory Committee begins to look for a new Town Manager.