Pittsboro gets one step closer to a town manager

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PITTSBORO — Town commissioners have narrowed down the list in the search for a new town manager to 15 candidates.

The board spent close to two hours in closed session at the start of its regular meeting Monday reviewing candidates with the firm Developmental Associates, which the town has been working with to recruit and select a replacement for former Town Manager Chris Kennedy.

In September, Interim Manager Hazen Blodgett took over for Kennedy, who in August resigned as town manager after more than two years in the position. In resigning, he cited a desire to prioritize greater work-life balance.

Developmental Associates led the previous search for a town manager, for which Kennedy was eventually hired. Mayor Cindy Perry said at the time the town had about 40 applicants for the position. Now, Perry said the board had to narrow down candidates from a total of 28 applicants — the application for the position closed Sunday — and she was encouraged by the progress made in the search for a permanent manager.

“We had a nice group to choose from,” she said.

The town and Developmental Associates expects to announce the new town manager by January at the latest, according to Steve Straus, the principal on the project and co-founder of Developmental Associates. Town commissioners and staff and community members provided input regarding the search for a manager, Straus said, the latter gathered through a community survey.

In general, he said feedback from stakeholders pointed to a desire for a manager who understands the impact of major development on the community, has the ability to learn to manage utilities, and is knowledgeable about strategic planning, the demands of affordable housing and staffing needs.

“Obviously, as the community grows, the needs of the town are going to grow,” Straus said. “And so somebody who’s adept at assessing staffing needs and recruiting and retaining staff (is needed).”

The remaining 15 candidates will take part in telephone interviews and complete a survey before a second screening by the board on Nov. 3. After virtual interviews and a skills evaluation, the board will narrow down applicants to three individuals for in-person interviews to be held between Nov. 28 and Dec. 2.

“I’m just excited about the options the town’s going to have,” Strauss said. “I think it’s a very attractive community there. There’s some good folks that want to be there.”

A town manager typically oversees administration and operations for a municipal area and in Pittsboro serves as the budget officer for the town. The manager will report to the mayor and five-person board of commissioners, according to the job posting.

In addition to leading 50 employees across nine departments, the town manager is responsible for working with the board of commissioners to oversee the town’s Planning and Parks & Recreation Advisory Boards. The job posting lists the hiring salary for the position as ranging between $150,000 and $200,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Commissioner Kyle Shipp also said he’s been pleased with the process so far. He noted qualities of Kennedy as town manager that he appreciated, including use of a broad network to tap into for advice and assistance and his ability to oversee smooth operation of the town despite reduced staff.

“I feel like the process works, and I just hope it works as good again as it did the first time,” Shipp said.

Reporter Maydha Devarajan can be reached at mdevarajan@chathamnr.com and on Twitter @maydhadevarajan.