Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select board tables road commissioner appointment pending job description, elects Matt Wadsworth as road foreman
Summary
After prolonged debate over qualifications and the absence of a formal job description, the select board moved the road commissioner appointment to its March 23 meeting and elected Matt Wadsworth as road foreman for the coming year.
The select board voted to table its appointment of a road commissioner and elected Matt Wadsworth as road foreman, following an extended discussion about job duties and candidate qualifications.
Board members, applicants and residents spent the bulk of the meeting discussing three applicants for road commissioner — Ben Shaw, Eric and incumbent Kevin Wilson — and whether the town should require a commercial driver’s license or a written job description for the role. Chair opened the item by noting the board had received letters from applicants; multiple participants said the board has not adopted a finalized job description.
"We need safe roads. We need safe trucks," Chair said when members discussed priorities for the post. Several residents and applicants urged the board to specify duties and evaluation criteria before appointing anyone. One resident argued an existing incumbent "has done an excellent job for the town," noting on-the-ground experience and familiarity with equipment.
Committee member (Speaker 3) moved to table the road commissioner appointment to the board’s March 23 meeting so members could collect applications and finalize a job description; another member seconded the motion and members voiced assent. The motion carried and the appointment was set to return to the March 23 agenda.
Separately, the board approved routine annual business. Members approved the agenda and minutes of prior meetings, moved to confirm the town clerk appointment and corrected an item on the agenda that had listed a treasurer title incorrectly; Diane Waters was referenced in that discussion as the individual tied to the treasurer/assistant treasurer listing. The board also moved to elect a road foreman: Committee member nominated Matt Wadsworth, the motion was seconded and members voiced assent; the board declared Wadsworth elected for the coming year.
Next steps: the road commissioner appointment remains on the table until the March 23 meeting, when the board intends to revisit candidates after publishing or agreeing a job description and collecting any additional applications.
