Onancock hires Berkley Group to recruit town manager; accepts interim manager contract

The Onancock Town Council voted unanimously on Nov. 17 to accept an interim town manager contract from the Berkley Group and to hire the same firm to recruit a permanent town manager.

Mayor Fletcher Fosque introduced Earl Mathers of the Berkley Group as the interim Town Manager; Mathers will work part time, splitting some days in the office with substantial remote work. Councilmember Cindy Holdren moved to accept the interim contract; Councilmember Sarah Nock seconded, and the motion passed 5-0.

Council then approved a separate, one-time contract with the Berkley Group to conduct the permanent-town-manager search for $15,000 plus advertising expenses. Councilmember Lisa Fiege moved the recruitment contract; Councilmember Nock seconded and the motion passed 5-0.

Mayor Fosque said a work session with the Berkley Group will be scheduled and is expected to last about two hours to begin the search process. Several attendees during public comment urged broader community involvement in the search: Kasey Grier suggested forming an expansive search committee that includes community members with government experience and providing finalists opportunities to answer questions from the public.

Councilmember Joy Marino announced her immediate resignation from the Town Council during the member-comments portion; her resignation letter was attached to the meeting record. Council did not take action on filling that vacancy during the meeting.

What happens next: the Council will hold a work session with representatives from the Berkley Group to set the recruitment process and timeline; the one-time recruitment fee and advertising expenses were approved at the Nov. 17 meeting.