By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Select Board unanimously voted on June 23 to form two different search committees to evaluate prospective applicants for two vacant department head positions.
Select Board Chair Phil Crawford said Town Clerk Amanda Haggstrom recently submitted her resignation. Haggstrom, who has worked for the town for the past two years, was recently appointed as West Newbury’s new town clerk.
“The appointing authority is the Select Board,” said Crawford. “The board is looking to appoint a screening committee to evaluate applications, conduct interviews and recommend two or more finalists to the board.”
The Select Board unanimously voted to form the Town Clerk Search Screening Committee that will be comprised of Town Administrator Rob Dolan, Department of Public Works (DPW) Director John Scenna, Finance Director/Town Accountant Dave Castellarian, poll worker Beverly Merritt and Select Board member Dick Dalton. The Town Clerk Search Screening Committee will be interviewing prospective candidates in executive session.
According to the town clerk’s job description that is posted on the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) website, “The town clerk works under the direction of the town administrator, and supervises and oversees the functions of the Town Clerk’s Office.”
“The town clerk serves as custodian of all town records, chief elections officer, chief public records officer, and maintains and ensures compliance with all applicable local, state and federal statutes,” the town clerk job description states.
According to the town clerk job description, local officials want the next town clerk to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and “two or more years of municipal town clerk or assistant town clerk experience preferred, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.”
The next town clerk will be required to be a certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk and/or have completed the certification within three years of employment.
Additionally, the town is looking for town clerk applicants to have “thorough knowledge of laws governing elections, licensing, vital statistics, public records and related laws.”
The town is also looking for town clerk candidates who have “excellent organizational, verbal and written communications; ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public, town officials and other town employees; knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, with expectation of acquiring knowledge of the State Voter Registry Information System and the Vitals Information Partnership System.”
The salary range for the next town clerk is between $90,000 and $95,000.
Senior Center director
In addition to the town clerk job, the town is also looking for a new Lynnfield Senior Center director in the wake of longtime Director Linda Naccara’s retirement.
“Linda is retiring after decades of service to the town,” said Crawford. “The appointing authority is the Select Board.”
Similar to the Town Clerk Search Screening Committee, the Select Board unanimously voted to form the Senior Center Director Search Screening Committee. The screening committee will consist of Crawford, Dolan, Council on Aging Board of Directors Chair Anita Migliore, Council on Aging Board of Directors member Louise Pellegrino and Council on Aging Board of Directors member Anne Hourihan.
The Senior Center Director Search Screening Committee will also be interviewing applicants in executive session.
According to the Senior Center director job description posted on the MMA website, the next Senior Center director will work “under the direction of the town administrator and Council on Aging Board of Directors.”
“It is a full-time salaried position,” the Senior Center director job description states. “Night and weekend work is occasionally required. The Senior Center director is responsible for the administration of the Senior Center and for all the planning and implementation of social, recreational, educational and therapeutic programming for the senior citizens of Lynnfield. The director also serves as the outreach worker.”
According to the Senior Center director job description, the town wants prospective candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and “three to five years of experience in municipal, state or federal government.”
“Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong public service skills are required,” the Senior Center director job description states. “Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs is required and MUNIS accounting software knowledge is a plus.”
According to the Senior Center director job description, the next director must also have a “current and valid Massachusetts driver’s license with a responsible driving record.” The hiring range for the next Senior Center director is between $80,000 and $85,000 “depending on qualifications and experience.”