PAXTON — In a bit of a flashback, Charles Blanchard could reprise his role as town administrator in Paxton, though only for a couple of months.
The Select Board voted Nov. 27 to negotiate to have Blanchard fill in as the town’s administrator while Heather Munroe, current town administrator, goes out on maternity leave.
The board interviewed three candidates and ended up opting for Blanchard, who was Paxton’s first town administrator, serving 2005 to 2010, prior to Carol Riches, who retired prior to hiring Munroe.
Blanchard, who served at town manager in Palmer after leaving Paxton, has filled in as interim administrator in other communities as well after leaving Palmer, including in Sturbridge, where he lives.
Select Board member Kirk Huehls questioned the need for an interim administrator, arguing the town’s department heads could manage without the need to spend funds for a part-time interim.
Town meeting voters on Nov. 20 approved $15,000 for the interim, although the actual funds needed would depend on the contract and how long the part-time administrator interim needs to work.
Huehls moved to hire Blanchard “because he is familiar with the town.”
“Charlie’s a great selection. He’s familiar with the town. He has a significant amount of experience,” Select Board Chair Julia Pingitore said.
The board had also interviewed Ross Perry and Gary Goldberg.
“I’m still contemplating whether we truly need somebody for just eight weeks and how effective that could be,” Huehls said before the board voted unanimously for Blanchard. “We hired all these people and trusted them to do that.”
“We have a lot that goes on in this town that people are just not aware of, particularly during budget season,” Pingitore said. “We’ll be down an administrator when it will be imperative to have one.”
“I’ve been in that position, and you never know as a department what is going to come up in a day-to-day basis,” Riches, now a Select Board member, said.
