Stonington - With budget season having arrived, the town is seeking to hire an interim finance director within the next few weeks, according to First Selectman George Crouse.

The town has been forced into having to quickly hire an interim director after Nicole Stajduhar stepped down last month after four weeks on the job so she could return to her former position in Old Lyme. She had replaced longtime director Maryanna Stevens, who had resigned last summer to become Waterford's director of finance.

Meanwhile, town department heads have already submitted their proposed budgets to Crouse, who now has to put together the proposed general government budget for 2015-16. The finance director plays a major role in helping analyze the department budgets along with the anticipated revenues and projected tax rate. Senior accountant Barbara Dexter is currently overseeing the finance department as she did after Stevens departed.

Crouse said Monday the town has contacted the firm that conducts its audits for recommendations of someone who could serve as an interim director.

"If this was the beginning of the summer we could take our time but this is pressing because we are dealing with the budget," he said about the decision to seek an interim director.

The town will also have a committee begin a search for a permanent director, a process that could last until after residents approve a budget this spring. Stajduhar, who lives in Stonington, informed the town last month she was resigning for personal reasons, effective immediately.

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