Westhampton hiring committee elects Dolores Thornhill as chair, sets interview timeline and priorities

The Westhampton Town Administrator hiring committee elected Dolores Thornhill as its chair and agreed on a timeline and priorities to guide recruitment for the position.

In a meeting that began at 4:05 p.m., Laurie Sanders nominated Dolores Thornhill for chair and Jen Milikowsky seconded; the committee approved the nomination 4-0-0. Scott Stanton is recorded as arriving later in the meeting at 4:20 p.m.

The committee reviewed its charge and an updated Town Administrator job description, comparing it with the existing Town Coordinator description and discussing how revisions affect the experience and qualifications the committee will seek in applicants. Committee members agreed the changes increase the range of responsibilities and informed the ranking of essential functions.

Committee members set an anticipated schedule for the hiring process: a meeting on July 15 at 4:30 p.m. to finalize interview questions, tentative interviews on July 22 and July 23 beginning at 4:30 p.m., and a potential recommendation to the Selectboard on July 26. The committee recorded that the Selectboard will forward any incoming applications to Chair Thornhill for review.

To guide screening and interviews, the committee ranked essential job functions in order of importance: 1) personnel management, 2) financial management, 3) policy management, 4) communications, 5) economic development, 6) public procurement, and 7) legal counsel. The committee said these priorities would shape how candidates are evaluated, focusing first on leadership and fiscal oversight skills.

Laurie Sanders moved to adjourn at 5:06 p.m.; Meaghan Schwelm seconded and the motion carried 5-0-0. The committee left the next substantive agenda item—developing interview questions—for its July 15 meeting.

The committee did not record votes on appointments beyond the chair election, and no additional motions or legal authorities were cited during the meeting.