Groton — The Town Council may hire a private search firm to help find the next town manager and may hire an assistant town manager at the same time.

Councilors discussed how to approach the search for a town manager at a special meeting earlier this week. Longtime Town Manager Mark Oefinger announced on Dec. 13 that he would retire in March. Oefinger has worked for the town for 35 years, including 14 as town manager.

On Tuesday, the council named itself to the search committee that will interview and select candidates.

Human Resources Director Robert Zagami said he’s researching potential search firms and will report back to the council in January.  Private search firms often have a list of people who are qualified for various jobs, even though they may not be actively looking for work, Zagami said.

“We want to put the best person we can put in (the job) because it’s a tough job,” Zagami said.

Oefinger's last day at work is scheduled for March 10, but he offered to be flexible and help if the town needs it. Once a search firm is hired, the town would advertise the position for at least four to five weeks. 

A search firm could cost between $20,000 and $40,000 depending on the firm, town Mayor Bruce Flax said. But the task also could be accomplished for less, he said.

The council discussed hiring an assistant town manager at the same time as a town manager but has not yet made a decision on that, Flax said.

“I think the town manger needs help, but you could structure it different ways,” he said. An assistant town manager could handle the daily functioning of the town while the town manager acts more as a chief executive officer, Flax said.

Oefinger also attends “a huge amount of meetings,” which an assistant town manager could potentially take over, Flax said.

Zagami said hiring an assistant town manager makes sense to him. "I would think that’s a good idea from my perspective,” he said. “One to run operations, and let the manager manage.”

d.straszheim@theday.com