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Select Board to Interview Two Police Chief Finalists; Interviews to Be Held Privately
Summary
After a committee narrowed the field to four candidates, the Camden Select Board voted to have the recruitment committee provide the two top candidates so the full board can schedule private interviews. Members clarified the interviews are personnel matters and not public.
The Camden Select Board voted to ask the police chief recruitment committee to provide the two most qualified candidates so the full board may schedule interviews outside a regular public Select Board meeting.
Rick Bates, a member of the recruitment committee, told the board the committee used a two-stage interview process and has narrowed the pool to four candidates. "We're down to basically four candidates now," Bates said, and described how a standardized first interview followed by a more open second interview helped the committee evaluate 'fit' beyond resumes.
Board members debated the appropriate end point of the committee’s work and how the Select Board's appointment authority interacts with the town manager’s role. Bill (staff member) read charter language clarifying the Select Board’s authority: by an affirmative vote of three members the Select Board "shall appoint" positions including the police chief, and the board executes contracts for such appointees.
Some committee members and board members said they preferred the committee forward recommendations to the town manager; others noted the charter language gives the Select Board appointment authority. To resolve the next step, a motion was made, seconded and carried directing the committee to share its top two candidates so the board can set interviews. Members agreed interviews would be private because they are personnel matters; the final appointment will be placed on a publicly noticed Select Board agenda as required.
Select Board members asked the committee to provide a briefing memo explaining the committee’s process and background on the finalists so board members can prepare targeted questions and avoid repeating prior interview lines. Logistics — whether interviews occur in an executive session or in another private setting such as the Tucker Room — were left to scheduling and personnel/privacy considerations.
The board then voted to go into executive session on separate personnel and legal matters, closing the public portion of the meeting.
