YARMOUTH – Selectmen in Yarmouth remain at an impasse as they try and chose a new Town Administrator, even after one of the two finalists for the position withdrew his candidacy Tuesday night.
John Salamore took his name out of contention, leaving Assistant Town Manager Peter Johnson-Staub as the only candidate left. But two selectmen, Mike Stone and James Quirk, said again Tuesday night that they will not support Johnson-Staub’s candidacy. Four out of five selectmen are needed to chose a new administrator.
“It’s been a very frustrating couple of weeks,” said Chairman Erik Tolley, who is supporting Johnson-Staub along with Tracy Post and Norman Holcomb.
Stone has refused to budge on his vote, questioning whether Johnson-Staub is qualified for the job. Johnson-Staub has held his position in Yarmouth for more than 15 years and served as the interim town administrator in 2010.
Tolley, Post and Holcomb have expressed their confidence in Johnson-Staub, noting his longtime service to the community.
With the board stalled, it opens up the possibility that an entirely new search process will have to begin.
“It certainly seems as though things will remain divided at 3 to 2. I, speaking only for myself, opined that as long as Mr. Johnson-Staub were in consideration that I would not be in favor of financing another search,” said Tolley, who added that estimates given to selectmen Tuesday night to re-launch the search process run upwards of $20,000.
The matter will be taken up again on January 5th, at which point Tolley said they may have to approve a new search.
Town Manager William Hinchey retires on January 22.
By Matt McCarthy and Matt Pitta, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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