Town Administrator Search Committee Gets 30-Day Extension

The five members of the have been meeting regularly since they first convened in mid-November.

Their meetings will continue a bit longer than expected now that selectmen have voted to extend the committee's deadline to mid-March.

The search group asked for and, on Wednesday, received a 30-day extension in their work interviewing candidates and narrowing the field to 3-5 prospects.

The committee will present the candidates to selectmen.

Selectmen could start reviewing the candidates as early as Feb. 29, or as late mid-March, said Selectmen Chairman Matt Strauss.

Once selectmen start their review they will have 30 days to choose the next town administrator.

The vacancy was created when Andrew Maylor left Swampscott to become North Andover's town manager.

The search panel asked Maylor, before he left, what qualities they should seek in a town administrator.

He suggested they look for experience, and for people who engage well with others and the job.

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

The Swampscott position will pay between $113,000 and $130,000.

Dave Castellarin, Swampscott's assistant town administrator, is the acting administrator. He said earlier that he was not applying for the opening.

The search group is made up of volunteers who have been meeting at least once a week at Town Hall — and working on their own at home.