PROVINCETOWN – The pursuit of a new ttwn manager in Provincetown has launched and the search committee is proposing a salary ranging up to $200,000.
The committee discussed the search process with the select board last week and chair Rick Murray recommended a salary between $180,000 and $200,000 with health benefits, and a housing stipend of at least $30,000.
Former Town Manager David Panagore left the position in April to take a job with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. David Garnder is serving as the interim town manager.
Panagore’s salary for this year was $165,000 and he received an annual housing stipend of $6,000.
“This might seem like sticker shock but we feel that in order to attract top talent, such considerations should be made,” Murray said.
The search committee believes the next town manager will need to rent housing before finding a new permanent home, and that the stipend will cover that cost.
Select board member Louise Venden said there will be a public reaction to a town employee making that much money and needed a housing stipend.
“One-hundred eighty thousand to $200,000 is way above what people in this town who work full-time make and they still have to pay for housing,” Venden said.
Venden said she had always hoped the town would purchase a home for the town manager so that the town would have an asset that would appreciate.
“I think there is some sensitivity around the cost things and we can have more discussion about that,” she said.
The select board did not make a decision on compensation and will continue the discussion.
Murray said the committee hopes to present a list of candidates before the end of October.
“We believe that time is of the essence,” he said.
Murray said the committee would also expand the search process by including an exit interview with Panagore.
“We think it would be a helpful step in the process and also in the right direction,” Murray said.
Venden agreed that an exit interview with Panagore was a smart idea.
“We are hiring an HR person and I would hope that in the future we do exit interviews with any professional level staff here,” she said. “I think it’s an important thing for us to have as a part of really knowing how Town Hall is working and how the staff are working together and how we might improve it.”
A town manager search consultant hired by the town will be coming early next month to interview select board members and other town officials to find out what they want from the next leader.
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