Northborough talks town admin. search, residency requirement

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Northborough talks town admin. search, residency requirement
Northborough will begin its search for a new town administrator. (Photo/Laura Hayes)

NORTHBOROUGH – The Board of Selectmen plans to hire a consultant to help them hire the town’s next administrator. 

This comes after Town Administrator John Coderre was named the new Town Manager of Foxborough in January. 

His last day at the helm of Northborough will be April 7. However, Coderre planned to use vacation time during the last week, and his last working day will be March 31. 

According to Board of Selectmen Chair Mitch Cohen during the Feb. 13 meeting, before Coderre leaves, the selectmen will need to appoint an interim town administrator. 

He said his preference would be to look externally and internally for the next town administrator. 

The Board of Selectmen intends to issue a request for proposals to hire a consulting firm who would guide the selectmen through the process and help the town with input, such as surveys or community input sessions. 

According to Coderre, it could range between $10,000 to $20,000 for the town to conduct an executive-level search. 

Cohen said the consultant would help the board update the job description for town administrator and help them advertise an appropriate salary. The board may choose to form a search committee that would oversee the collection of resumes and screen the candidate to move before the Board of Selectmen. 

The board would then hold public interviews of the candidates before making a selection. 

The selectmen also voted to place an article before Town Meeting remove the residency requirement for town administrator. Coderre said during a Jan. 23 meeting that this dated back to 1970.

“It’s a little bit different times today. Most families have dual careers. It’s become very difficult to find managers that are willing and able to relocate,” said Coderre. 

There would be an article on Town Meeting warrant to authorize a petition to the Legislature for a special act to amend the charter to remove the residency requirement. 

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