Selectboard approves revised Highway Superintendent job description and authorizes job posting

The Winchester Selectboard on May 20 approved a revised Highway Superintendent job description and, following nonpublic session, authorized posting the position.

During discussion board members debated whether the position should require 10 years of experience. Selectman Theresa Sepe and Selectman Ben Kilanski said a 10-year requirement could deter applicants; Selectmen Trevor Croteau and Herbert C. Stephens argued the department is a high-priority, high-expense area and preferred a higher experience threshold. The board ultimately set the requirement at five years of experience, agreed applicants must live within 20 minutes of town, and added expectations for verbal and digital communication skills. The board also decided to spread Roads Scholar training over years 2, 4 and 6 "if class available." Selectman Kilanski moved to approve the job description; Selectman Stephens seconded and the motion carried 4-1.

The board entered nonpublic session later under RSA 91-A:3 II(a,b,c). Nonpublic minutes record that Jack Marsh moved to post the Highway Superintendent vacancy on the Keene Sentinel, NHMA and INDEED for two weeks requiring application and resume; Trevor Croteau seconded and the motion carried 3-2. The nonpublic minutes also cite the RSA 91-A exemptions used as the basis for the closed session.

The job posting and the job description changes are the formal actions recorded; the board directed staff to advertise and collect applications per the nonpublic motion.