FARMINGTON — A representative for the Maine Municipal Association offered a timeline Monday for hiring a town manager, while selectmen listed the skills they want in that person.

The candidate chosen will succeed Cornell Knight who is serving as interim manager following the resignation of Christian Waller last month.

David Barrett, director of personnel services and labor relations for MMA, said the town needs someone who has the skills  to lead Farmington, a service center community.

His recruitment timeline is creating ads this week to run March 6-29 in municipal associations and local news sources. Costs range from free to about $450. After that, resumes would be reviewed the last week of March or in early April, and Barrett will forward them with his recommendations to selectmen.

Selectmen would pick the top six candidates and Barrett would develop an interview packet and hold interviews the first or second week of April. Second interviews with final candidates would be held the third or fourth week of April with department heads participating and giving feedback to Barrett.

Barrett asked selectmen what the next three to five years might look like for the town.

Selectman Joshua Bell said the town is financially sound and needs to maintain its financial stability.

He said he wants the new manager to maintain a more open relationship with business owners.

Selectmen would also like the manager to collaborate with area communities and offer its services for a fee.

The board listed the following needs they would like the new manager to address:

• Plan for future growth and provide long-range planning.

• Conduct a comprehensive review of salary and benefits to help retain and recruit employees.

• Conduct a comprehensive review of personnel policies.

• Manage a Capital Improvement Projects list with five- to 20-year plans.

• Possess strong financial capabilities and oversight, and the ability to set and follow best practices.

• Possess municipal experience with strong policy and state law knowledge.

• Develop a strategy to fund long-term reserve accounts.

• Establish strong relationships within the community, including the University of Maine at Farmington, the Regional School Unit 9 and Franklin Memorial Hospital.

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