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Select board authorizes Rethink contract for administrator recruitment; discusses Whitcomb Hall rentals and interim liaisons
Summary
The Town of Swanzey Select Board authorized the chair to sign a contract with Rethink for town administrator recruitment and interim administrator services, and discussed recurring Whitcomb Hall rentals, a food‑truck/commercial‑kitchen inquiry, and interim liaison assignments while Town Administrator Michael Brantley transitions out.
The Town of Swanzey Select Board on a recorded motion authorized the chairman to sign a contract with Rethink to provide town administrator recruitment and interim administrator services, and discussed a separate request for recurring weekly rentals of Whitcomb Hall’s commercial kitchen and an interim assignment of department liaisons while Town Administrator Michael Brantley transitions.
Board members said the Rethink engagement will include interim coverage while the town searches for a permanent administrator. Select Board Chair Sly Karasinski said Rethink’s consultant, identified in the discussion by first name as Alex, is expected to work in town hall “two or three days a week” to process paperwork and help prepare agendas; Karasinski and other members said the board will pick up additional duties during the transition. The motion to authorize the chairman to sign the contract was made and seconded and carried by voice vote.
The board also reviewed a written inquiry from three food‑truck owners proposing weekly access to the Whitcomb Hall commercial kitchen to prepare food for their trucks. Town staff and Selectman Jimmy Tempesta and others discussed health‑department requirements and kitchen features that matter for licensing, including a three‑bay sink, grease trap and adequate ventilation. Tempesta and others said the prospective operator would need the appropriate food service/catering license and an inspection by the local/state health authority before operations begin. Katrina (staff) and Michael Brantley were named as points of contact to coordinate follow‑up with the prospective renters.
Separately, members discussed interim liaison assignments for the town’s six departments while Brantley leaves. Karasinski proposed dividing oversight so the workload would not fall on a single selectman: Karasinski would take recreation and recycling temporarily; Jim Tempesta was proposed to cover public works and police; another member would cover town hall and fire. The board agreed the assignments would be temporary, reported weekly, and that members should not make operational decisions on behalf of departments but rather serve as liaisons and points of contact until a new administrator is in place.
No dollar amounts or contract terms beyond the scope (recruitment plus interim administrator services) were read into the public record at the meeting. Board members said candidates for the interim role are already lined up and indicated an aggressive start date was possible. The board directed staff to coordinate next steps with Katrina and the administration, including scheduling candidate interviews and ensuring the Whitcomb Hall kitchen meets licensing requirements if the rental proceeds.
