Town manager selection is on the workshop agenda

PARIS — The board of selectmen has scheduled a July 16 workshop to begin planning a schedule to select a town manager.

In late June, the board voted to inform current Town Manager Phil Tarr it did not intend to renew his contract after it expires in January.

The board scheduled the workshop during its Tuesday meeting.

Resident Kathy Richardson presented the board with her suggestion that it organize a search committee to help with a search for a town manager.

Richardson told the board that a volunteer committee could help better organize the town manager search.

"It's my observation and an observation shared by a number of Paris citizens that Paris could benefit from a more carefully researched and better prepared process for seeking a town manager," she told the selectmen.

"Just putting out an ad and seeing who turns up is not the best thing to do to take the town forward," she continued. "It's hardly better than putting a help wanted sign in the window."

Richardson told the board that a search committee could take the necessary time to handle correspondence, review applications and vet candidates, freeing up the board to focus on other work in the town.

The imagined committee would have no approval power – the final decision on hiring would still rest with the selectboard.

Board Chairman Sam Elliot told Richardson that the board would consider her suggestion at the workshop.

The workshop will be held July 16, at 7 p.m. at the town office.