Norwich receives 48 city manager applications
Norwich — The city received 48 applications by Monday’s midnight deadline in the search for a new city manager, search firm principal Colin Baenziger said.
The City Council hired Florida-based Baenziger & Associates for up to $30,000 on Sept. 21 to advertise the position — described as a “great but challenging job” in the posting — and to receive and screen applications.
The City Council hopes to name a new city manager by the last week in November.
"I think you've got an extremely good group of candidates," Baenziger said. "I'm very happy at this point."
Almost half of the candidates, 21 people, submitted their applications in the last three days, he said.
The firm will pass on any late applications to the city, and the midnight Monday deadline was more of a "soft closing."
"If someone who is really great comes in tomorrow or the next day, I'm not going to tell the candidate, 'Sorry, you're late,''' he said.
"It is not uncommon," he said last week, "to get two or three after the closing date."
The schedule calls for Baenziger’s firm to screen candidates through Nov. 10 and present finalists to the City Council to conduct interviews the week of Nov. 16.
A selection is expected to be made “shortly thereafter” with a goal of reaching a signed contract by Nov. 30.
The position was advertised with a salary of up to $150,000. The current budget called for a salary of $127,500.
“We do not anticipate any internal candidates,” the application stated.
Former City Manager Alan Bergren resigned on Feb. 2 under pressure from the City Council in what was termed a mutual agreement. Bergren received a severance package.
Norwich Public Utilities General Manager John Bilda has been serving as acting city manager since Feb. 3.
Bilda confirmed last week that he will not be applying for the permanent job.
Baenziger posted a six-page application on its website, about half of which described the city’s history, economy and major features, including Otis Library, the Marina at American Wharf and The William W. Backus Hospital.
The city has a non-education staff of 430 full-time equivalent employees, with only 11 management employees not represented by unions.
“The city is emphasizing becoming a city of economic growth,” the application stated. “Among its goals are increasing education funding, providing tax relief, department collaboration and infrastructure maintenance.”
The application also stated that the city is transitioning from its past prominence as a manufacturing hub to a service-sector economy with lower-wage jobs and a recent influx of immigrants from a diverse ethnic background.
The city is now ready to move forward, the application stated.
“The stage is set and the next city manager can provide leadership toward that goal,” the application stated. “A strong leader — someone who is willing to invest him/herself in the long-term development of the city — will find the opportunity to make an impact exhilarating. The community leadership is committed to support such a person.”
c.bessette@theday.com
Twitter: @Bessettetheday
Day Staff Writer Martha Shanahan contributed to this report.
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