HATFIELD — With current Town Administrator Marlene Minchonski set to retire from her position at the end of the year, the town is one step closer to finding a replacement.
During its July 24 meeting, the Hatfield Select Board officially voted to appoint the members of the search committee, which will meet once a month to review applications for town administrator, conduct preliminary interviews with candidates and recommend finalists to the Select Board.
The members appointed to the search committee include Finance Committee member Sean Barry, Select Board member Ed Jaworski, Hatfield Public Schools Superintendent Conor Driscoll, Town Moderator Bobby Betsold and Treasurer/Collector Tammy Wendolowski.
The Select Board also voted in two at-large members out of four possible candidates: Anna Holhut and David Keir. Holhut is currently a member of the town’s Celebration Committee and Keir serves as the chair at-large of the Capital Improvement Planning Committee.
“I’ve worked with Dave Keir on committees and he is very organized; [he] always shows up; he’s just really, really great to work with on a committee,” said Select Board chair Diane Syznal. “And I have also served on a committee with Anna Holhut and likewise, really, really great to work with.”
The committee will spearhead the process of finding the right candidate for town administrator over the next couple of months.
The town states that they are looking for applications until the position is officially filled. Ideally, they want someone to start by Nov. 1.
According to the job posting, the town is looking for someone with a bachelor’s degree and five years of related professional municipal experience. They also must be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
“Working knowledge of municipal finance, budget management, personnel management, collective bargaining, intergovernmental relations, contracts and the laws which affect local government are desired,” reads the posting.
The town is asking applicants to address their resumes and cover letters to the Town Administrator Search Committee Memorial Town Hall, 59 Main St, Hatfield MA 01038, or by emailing townadministrator@townofhatfield.org.
Michonski officially announced her retirement in January after 35 years of serving in municipal work. She first served as Hatfield’s town administrator from 2002 until 2010. She then spent five years as an office manager for Braintree’s DPW before returning to the Hatfield town administrator position in 2015. She also spent 14 years in Southampton.
“I do want to do some part-time work … but on a flexible schedule, because I do want to spend more time with family,” Michonski said during the January Select Board meeting where she announced her retirement.
“Marlene, I’m so happy for you,” said Syznal, who was one of the people to recruit Michonski for the position many years ago. “You’ve given years and years of just dedicated exceptional service to the town and I’m going to really miss working with you.”
Michonski notified the board that she will officially end her tenure on Dec. 31.
