Manager search getting closer to decision

Springfield is getting closer to offering the town manager's job to one of the finalists.
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20140924/NEWS02/709249941

Published September 24, 2014 in the Rutland Herald Manager search getting closer to decision By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Select Board will again meet behind closed doors this afternoon to discuss appointing a new town manager. Town Manager Robert Forguites said the Select Board was getting closer to making a decision on the candidate who will replace him, but he said he didn’t think the board would make a decision once it comes out of closed-door session. Forguites announced in April that he was retiring after working for the town for 20 years, the last 16 as town manager. He wants to stop working full time with the town at the end of September, and hopefully complete his career with town government at the end of December. Forguites has offered to work with the new manager on drawing up the budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year, which traditionally has been released before Christmas. Kristi Morris, chairman of the Springfield Select Board, said the board was now negotiating with the finalists. “We have reached out to the candidates to get information regarding an offer,” he said. “We have not made any offers.” Morris noted that the board was asking the candidates the details of what it would take for them to accept the Springfield job, including salary and benefits, such as car allowance or mileage, and relocation expenses. The wage range the board previously agreed on was $75,000 to $98,000, depending on experience. “We want to have a sense of what they’re looking for and salary,” said Morris. He said the board hasn’t discussed contract length yet. “We’ll have nothing hard until we have a candidate we’re working with,” he said. Forguites didn’t have a formal contract with the board, he said, although he had an “agreement” since he was “hired from within,” Morris said.