Select Board weighs part‑time and mentoring options as assessor vacancy persists

The Select Board on Feb. 17 held an extended discussion about the town's long‑standing vacant assessor position and possible strategies to fill it.

Town staff said the position has been open for several months with few qualified applicants. Board members and staff explored several options: recruit for a part‑time 24‑hour position (MAAO guidance was cited that suggested 24 hours at $60,000 as an alternative to a $90,000 full‑time salary), establish a mentoring arrangement with an outside firm (RRG) to train a less‑experienced hire, share staff across neighboring towns, or contract temporary assessor services from a consultant.

Board members raised practical concerns about part‑time coverage and customer expectations for in‑office hours, and asked how retention could be ensured after a mentorship period. Staff noted legal limits on imposing retention conditions for non‑union positions but suggested the town could explore prorated reimbursement agreements and consult legal counsel. The board agreed to return this item to a future meeting with additional budget impact statements and to ask staff to check with MAAO and neighboring communities about precedents for part‑time or shared assessor arrangements.

No final hiring decision was made; the board indicated the approach would depend on FY27 budget work and follow‑up reporting.