YARMOUTH – Yarmouth Selectmen have agreed to start negotiations with former Town Administrator Robert Lawton to take over the position on an interim basis until a new administrator is hired.
Lawton, who retired from the position in 2011 after 32 years on the job, could start within the next couple of weeks, according to Selectmen Chair James Quirk.
“He’s indicated that he is able to work two days a week and that he would be able to work at the daily rate of his salary that he was receiving at the time that he retired,” said Quirk.
Interim Town Administrator Peter Johnson-Staub, who has accepted the Town Administrator position with the Town of Falmouth, will stay in the position until November 4.
Quirk added that Lawton is the right person for the job at this time.
“Obviously with his years of experience he would be able to step right in and be able to take care of the issues for the interim period of time,” said Quirk.
Johnson-Staub, who previously served as Assistant Town Administrator, was a finalist for the position when selectmen were considering William Hinchey’s replacement last year, but withdrew his name after selectmen couldn’t agree on offering him the position.
Voters at the May town meeting rejected an article seeking money for a new search, and in an overwhelming non-binding vote, said they wanted Johnson-Staub.
But Quirk and selectman Michael Stone said they would not be swayed by the will of the residents.
Instead, Johnson-Staub agreed with selectmen to serve as Town Administrator on an interim basis after Hinchey retired in January.
The Collins Center at the University of Massachusetts is leading the new search for candidates, with interviews scheduled for November 19.
With contract negotiations and time needed to move, Johnson-Staub told selectmen that he believes the earliest start date for a new town administrator would be January 1.
Selectmen also approved spending no more than $3,000 allocated for travel expenses for the three candidates during the interview process.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter
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