WORK SESSION

 

NOVEMBER 3, 2021

 

At a WORK SESSION of the Town Council of the Town of South Kingstown, County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island held at the Town Hall, in and for said Town on the 3^rd day of November 2021 at 7:00 PM.

 

            PRESENT:    Abel G. Collins, President

Rory H. McEntee, Vice President

                                    Deborah D. Bergner

                                    Deborah J. Kelso

                                    Jessica L. Rose

 

Also present: Theresa Murphy, Interim Town Manager; Michael A. Ursillo, Town Solicitor; Colleen Camp, Executive Assistant; and Robert A. Mercier, Sr., Consultant, Municipal Resources, Inc.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance is given.

 

Bob Mercier, Consultant with Municipal Resources, Inc. (MRI), the firm hired to conduct an executive search for a new Town Manager, introduces himself and reviews his professional background. Both he and his colleague, Buzz Stapczynski, who could not be here this evening, have experience as Town Managers.

 

Mr. Mercier briefly reviews their search process, noting they will have contact with Town staff as well as Town Council members. They will develop a profile of the desired Town Manager. The timeline includes advertising the position for 30 days, and can extend that if necessary. During that time the consultants will actively recruit candidates, including reaching out to known good candidates. The process may take 12 to 16 weeks, including allowance of time for the chosen appointee to give notice at their current job.

 

Discussion ensues relative to other interested parties the Council may want the consultants to talk to, and placing a link on the Town website for anonymous comments to be made directly to the MRI website.

 

Discussion ensues relative to the field of candidates initially being narrowed to 12 to 15 based upon resumes submitted, then narrowed to 8 to 10 candidates after reviewing essay questions specific to South Kingstown and doing follow-up, then further narrowed to 5 to 7 candidates to be interviewed by the Town Council.

 

Discussion ensues relative to the interview process, including developing a list of typical questions and those chosen by the Town Council.

 

MRI will conduct an in-depth background check and credit check on the chosen candidate. A conditional offer of employment would be based on contract agreement and successful background check. MRI will be available after the new Town Manager is hired, if needed.

 

Discussion ensues relative to obtaining feedback from department heads, after which MRI will summarize and prepare a report for the Town Council.

 

Discussion ensues relative to the Interim Town Manager continuing to serve after her initial appointment expires on December 15^th; the Town Solicitor advises that the Council can extend that contract.     

 

Discussion ensues relative to the timeline for advertising the Town Manager position; the Council prefers to approve the advertisement prior to its publication. This will be added to the November 8^th agenda to determine the expected salary range or “competitive salary” language, allow for advertising to begin on November 15^th, and set a response date.

 

Discussion ensues regarding Council members speaking individually to the consultants and then a report summary will be provided to the group to reconcile.

 

The Town Solicitor summarizes that the Council will vote on the ad on Monday, November 8^th, a timetable will be provided to the Town Council, and additional documents will be submitted for Council approval at subsequent meetings.

 

Discussion ensues relative to interview scheduling and community input after the holidays.

 

Adjourn at 8:19 PM.

 

 

Susan M. Flynn, CMC

Town Clerk