The Town Administrator Search Committee begins interviewing candidates this week, with consultant Rick White and the committee confirming that interim Town Administrator Gino Cresta did not apply for the position.

The committee was formed to recruit and vet candidates following the late-2024 resignation of Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald, who had been scheduled to serve through June but instead took paid leave in his final months.

White previously told the committee he received 32 applications and conducted an hour- to hour-and-a-half-long interviews with each. 

Cresta was not among them. 

Up to ten candidates are being interviewed by the committee in executive sessions this week.

On July 15, the committee met in executive session to finalize interview questions and select candidates.

Interview questions were shaped by a public survey, where many residents emphasized the importance of financial expertise.

The survey asked residents to rank essential leadership traits. Transparency ranked highest, followed closely by financial knowledge.

Overall, financial management was named the top priority, with education and infrastructure also ranked highly. Other concerns included climate action, public safety, and housing.

After interviews this week, the Town Administrator Search Committee will narrow its potential candidates down to three or five people. White will then conduct background checks and contact 15 to 20 references for each of the three to five finalists.

The Select Board is expected to receive the names of the finalists on August 7 or 8 for the board to then review and interview.