EAST LONGMEADOW – There are two candidates in the running for interim town manager, but the Town Council did not name them at its July 12 meeting.

Instead councilors described one of the candidates as a woman who applied to be interim town administrator last December. That description fits former First Selectman of East Windsor, CT, Denise Menard.

The council unanimously agreed at its meeting to interview the two candidates at its next meeting July 26.

Menard previously applied for the interim town administrator position after Greg Moyer left the position on Dec. 4, 2015. Ultimately, the Board of Selectmen hired former West Springfield Mayor Gregory Neffinger for the job.

Town Council Vice President Paul Federici, who previously served as chair of the Board of Selectmen, said Menard was his top choice for interim town administrator.

“She was actually a first selectman, which means she was in a full-time position,” he added. “She managed a staff of 75. In my opinion, she’s very highly qualified. Needless to say, I was outvoted at the time ... One of the downsides that one of the other board members had was the budget in her town was $32 million as opposed to $54 here. In the ultimate scheme of things; if you can manage that budget, you can manage another budget.”

Town Councilor Joseph Ford, who has a background in human resources, said he was tasked by Town Council President Kevin Manley to informally speak with both candidates.

He added both candidates are available as full-time interim town managers and are interested in applying for the permanent position.

“Both of them are highly qualified and I guess my concern at this point is that we kind of missed the cut-off date to post this on the [Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) website], but the purpose of delaying these two particular candidates there’s a couple concerns,” Ford said.

Acting Town Manager Robert Peirent’s term of office is set to expire at the end of the month, Ford noted.
    “Number two is we could wait for 50 more résumés and these could be the two most qualified we have and then they’re no longer available,” he explained. “They’re both actively in search mode and they both bring something different to the table. I have to tell you, I’m very impressed with both of them and I think that the full council should consider them and consider acting and moving forward sooner than later.”

Manley said based on his conversations with individuals at the University of Massachusetts Boston Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management he believes the summer season is difficult to find interim candidates and East Longmeadow is “geographically challenged.” Most interim candidates came from the eastern part of the state.

Town Councilor Eric Madison, a retired Longmeadow fire chief, said he reached out to town managers he’s known throughout the Commonwealth.

“I said, ‘Look, we’re coming up rather empty with the MMA and Collins Center. Who’s out there that would be interested in this kind of work?’ I heard back from the last one today. There’s nobody out there right now to do interim work. There’s a limited number of people that do it. Those that are interested in working in the summer are few. Those who are truly interested in working in the summer are already working.”

Town Councilor Kathleen Hill asked Ford if either candidate is currently working in a full time position.

“One is currently working in a part-time position doing grant work for Housing Authority,” he replied. “She was an elected official. She served two full terms, so eight years. She didn’t win her last reelection and the other individual is currently not employed right now.”

Manley suggested giving the two candidates copies of the town charter, to which Ford replied that both have already reviewed it.

In other business, the council broke into executive session to discuss former Police Chief Douglas Mellis’ outstanding pay. The council returned to normal session and tabled the topic until its next meeting.

The Board of Selectmen decided to advertise for Mellis’ job, however, according to his contract if the chief is not reappointed or terminated without just cause, the town is required to pay the chief a lump sum equal to the balance of any term of appointment, but “in no event less than 12 months of salary benefits nor more than 18 months of salary benefits.” This could cost taxpayers about $137,000.

Got a comment about this story? Go to http://speakout.thereminder.com and let us know.