Kingston Board of Selectmen begins search for new Town Administrator
Keith Hickey departs for position in Fairhaven, prompting discussion of interim leadership and search committee formation for permanent replacement.
KINGSTON - August 5 - The Kingston Board of Selectmen is launching a search for a new town administrator following the resignation of Keith Hickey, who accepted a position with the town of Fairhaven. The board discussed next steps during their Aug. 5 meeting, including plans for interim leadership and the structure of a permanent search process.
Hickey's contract includes a 90-day notification period, meaning he remains employed through Kingston until late October. However, board members expressed interest in finding interim or permanent replacement candidates before that deadline.
"If we can find an interim or a replacement before then, he's asked the board to consider that," said Vice Chair Kim Emberg. "I don't think we're in a position to discuss that now, but I just wanted to bring that up because folks may not be familiar with his contract terms."
Chair Eric Crone emphasized the need for a thorough but realistic timeline for the search process. He noted that even with the full 90-day period, finding a permanent replacement typically takes longer.
"I think that process should not try to be rushed, like even if we took the entire 90 days, I don't think that's enough time," Crone said. "I think we need to be realistic and in the past when we've had openings, we've had interim TAs, so I think it makes sense for us to look for an interim town administrator as well as moving forward on a search for a permanent town administrator."
The board discussed whether to hire a professional search firm or conduct the search internally. Given the town's current financial constraints, several members leaned toward handling the process without external consultants.
Selectman Carl Pike acknowledged the financial reality while noting the importance of the position. "When you're talking a 20 or 25 thousand dollar cost, okay, the town should always be able to find that in a 50 million dollar budget," Pike said. "I don't care if you have to cut back some overtime somewhere, or you don't buy this equipment, or you do something that when you're dealing with a 50, 60 million dollar budget, you ought to be able to find $25,000 in a push."
However, Pike also supported starting the search internally and potentially hiring a firm later if needed. "I absolutely agree that any place we don't have to spend money in the next eight or ten months, whatever's left, I personally will be charging forward and saying, hey, do we have to spend that?"
Crone cited the town's limited financial flexibility as a key factor in the decision. "We're literally saying we've got 3,000 and then probably less available in, under the levy, it just, it's hard to then say, oh, well, let's spend the money when we could do it, I think."
The board also discussed the overlap period between Hickey and his replacement. Pike suggested a two-week transition period would be sufficient, noting the town's experienced department heads and staff who possess institutional knowledge.
"I would hope that we get an interim person that's strong enough they can pick up pretty rapidly so that no matter what we do, whether it's an interim or a permanent, I do not want to see more than two weeks to maybe 30 days overlap," Pike said.
Hickey agreed that a two-week overlap would be reasonable, depending on the incoming administrator's capabilities. He also offered continued support after his departure.
"As I've mentioned to the board, I'm a phone call and email or text away, so if I can help whoever's sitting in that chair, you know, I'm always going to be willing to do that," Hickey said.
The board plans to gather input from department heads before finalizing the search process. Hickey suggested meeting with department heads as a group to discuss desired traits for the next administrator.
"I think it'd be worthwhile to hear what the board has to say about what traits they would like to see. Good, bad, or indifferent, and include them in at least the initial discussion," Hickey said.
Board members discussed the composition of a potential search committee, considering including department heads, though some expressed concerns about employees interviewing their future supervisor. The town clerk has already expressed interest in serving on a search committee.
The board also addressed updating the job description used in the previous search. Emberg noted that the current description was developed with community and employee input during the 2020 search process.
"Taking that job description, I realize we may want to, we want to look at it and see if there's any changes to be made. It accurately represents what that search company put together based on our community and our feedback and the employee feedback," Emberg said.
Pike reviewed the existing job description and suggested it needs cleanup for grammar and duplications but contains the necessary content. The board plans to have members submit suggested changes to be compiled before their next meeting.
For the interim position, the board learned that the process can be less formal than a permanent hire. Town counsel indicated that interim administrators don't require the same rigorous interview process as permanent hires.
The board already received one resume from someone interested in serving as interim administrator. They plan to discuss specific candidates in executive session.
The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12, with plans to continue discussions about the administrator search process and potentially schedule additional meetings as needed for the interim hiring process.