Former town manager Robert Peabody hired by Old Orchard Beach

Wed, 03/27/2013 - 1:30pm

Lynda Clancy

ROCKPORT —Although discussions about what expectations Rockport has of any new town manager will remain behind closed doors, the Rockport Town Manager Search Committee is now allowing time for public comments before entering executive session. This new practice begins this evening, at 7 p.m., at the Rockport Town Office, when the committee convenes for its third meeting.

Applications for the position are due by Friday, March 29. Committee members will see the first applications next week, after the town office processes what has been received, which, according to Executive Secretary Stacey Parra, has "not been a lot."

Town Manager ad

TOWN OF ROCKPORT, MAINE: From its pristine harbor to its blueberry fields, Rockport, Maine, is a small Town (population 3,500) of uncommon character.

The Town is currently accepting applications for the position of Town Manager with an anticipated appointment in June 2013. Rockport has a municipal budget of $4,400,000 with a tax assessed value of $985,000,000 and serves as a Regional Service Center.

There are 30 full-time municipal employees.

The ideal candidate will have strong municipal government experience, excellent communication skills, and proven people management skills. Experience in the corporate world, with grant writing, and/or with solid waste management would be valuable, but is not essential.

The Town offers a competitive salary and excellent fringe benefits. Resumes with at least three references and a completed Town employment application form should be submitted to: Town of Rockport, c/o T.M. Search Committee, PO Box 10, Rockport, Maine 04856. Applications will close March 29, 2013. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Last week, the seven-member committee justified its reasons for meeting in secret, citing state personnel laws and town charter language. But after questions of why the committee needs to meet in executive session, the committee agreed to establish a public comment session at the beginning of its meetings. Besides this evening, the committee has meetings scheduled for April 10, 15, and May 1.

Rockport's former town manager Robert Peabody officially departed the office five weeks ago, and Roger Moody, a Knox County Commissioner and Camden's former town manager, stepped in temporarily to help tide the town over until a new manager is hired. The town and Peabody reached a severance/release agreement that was signed Feb. 19.

Peabody was hired March 25 by the town of Old Orchard Beach as interim town manager there, according to the Portland Press Herald, at $1,500 per week.

The Rockport Town Manager Search Committee consists of Kim Graffam, Will Gartley, Peter Hall (chairman), Tom Cox, Betsy Saltonstall, Kathleen Meil, and Jan Rosenbaum. Select Board member Tracy Murphy is the liaison to the committee.

William Chapman, Chairman of the Rockport Select Board, has substantiated the need for closed door meetings, and said in an email:

"As to the reasoning behind the use of executive session for the development of the rating scheme and questionnaire: these need to be in executive session because of the unfair advantage one candidate might gain by knowing the questions that will be asked and how much weight the committee will be giving to the questions in relation to the answers provided. Keep in mind that the questionnaire that will be sent out will require written answers, something that can be 'gamed' by reworking and reworking and having others read and rework the answer before submission. That would present a completely different picture of the applicant and possibly elevate him/her over others who are more qualified but didn't have the advantage of the knowledge of the ranking scheme."

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