Town Administrator Advises Committee Seeking His Replacement

The Town Administrator's Search Committee has received 33 resumes.

They will continue to accept them through Friday but last night they consulted with the current town administrator, Andrew Maylor, on the eve of his last day on the job.

Maylor, who steps in as town manager in North Andover Friday, recommended that the Search Committee look for experience in the candidates, said committee member Dana Swanstrom.

He also recommended that the panel look for people who engage well with people and the job, Swanstrom said.

Search Committee members said earlier that they want prospects who are well versed in financial matters.

The panel's next step is to review resumes and assign candidates to committee members for phone interviews.

The job will pay between $113,000 and $130,000.

Here's an outline of the Search Committee's timeline:

• Dec. 19, review resumes and assign candidates to committee members charged with conducting phone interviews
• Jan. 11, report to the committee on the phone interviews and settle on a group to invite for live interviews
• Jan. 18, 23 and 24 conduct face-to-face interviews with the candidates
• Feb. 6, choose candidates to recommend to selectmen

The committee will have 90 days — or until mid-February — to present 3-5 candidates to selectmen.

Selectmen will then have 30 days to choose the next town administrator.

Maylor earned $133,262 as Swampscott's town administrator in 2010. He will receive $145,000 a year in North Andover.

Town employees had a farewell gathering for him at Town Hall on Monday.

Selectmen said their public goodbyes at their last meeting, last week.

The board members said the town administrator was helpful and loyal.

Several of them said he had always had their back.

Administrative Assistant Maureen Shultz said it was going to be hard to adjust to his absence, likening the change to a divorce.

Maylor said he expected today to be an emotional experience after nine years at Town Hall.

Department heads said in interviews that the town administrator had high expectations of them but allowed them to do their jobs.

They said he was unflappable and well informed.

"He'll be missed," Fire Chief Kevin Breen said.