WHITMAN - June 16, 2026 - Facing the upcoming retirement of Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter, the Whitman Select Board opted against spending about $15,000 on an outside recruitment consultant, choosing instead to manage the search process internally to maintain momentum. The board approved a localized screening committee and set a salary range of $167,000 to $177,000 to fast-track recruitment before Carter’s planned departure on September 5, 2026.
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The decision to bypass commercial recruiting firms came after Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter presented quotes from Community Paradigm and Bridgewater State University, both coming in at $15,000. Board members expressed concern that an outside firm would inadvertently slow down the transition period.
The board voted to establish an internal search committee consisting of Select Board Chair Justin Evans, Select Board member Christina Gorman, outgoing Town Administrator Mary Beth Carter, and Health Agent Dan Kelly. While reviewing the job description, board member Dawn Byers advocated for strengthening the minimum qualifications, leading to the inclusion of requirements for strong analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills. The board settled on a recruitment salary range of $167,000 to $177,000.
“I think we should only go, the top should be at what we have budgeted right now. You know, I think it would be good just to get a pool so we can kind of see what we’re attracting.” — Shawn Kain
