Groton negotiating with candidate to become next town manager
Groton — The Groton Town Council has chosen a candidate to become the next town manager and could vote on filling the post as early as Tuesday.
The town is in negotiations with the candidate, Mayor Bruce Flax said Friday. The candidate's name was not released.
Groton contracted with Wallingford-based Randi Frank Consulting LLC to assist in the town manager search and the council named itself as the search committee. The consulting firm received about 20 applications and brought forward 11 names for the council to consider, including applicants from Rhode Island and the Midwest. The council then chose five finalists.
One subsequently dropped out of consideration last week, Flax said. Councilors interviewed four people in executive session and chose the candidate by unanimous vote, he said.
“It was a very strong group,” Flax said of the finalists. The council meets next as a committee of the whole on Tuesday and may be ready to vote at that meeting, he said.
"We're excited about the new beginning that Groton's going to have," Councilor Diane Barber said. "He's energetic, he's got some great ideas and he's really looking forward to coming to Groton."
If the town is unsuccessful in negotiations with the candidate, it would choose from among others it interviewed, councilors said.
Town Manager Mark Oefinger announced his retirement in December and will remain in the job until June 2. He initially planned to leave in March, but stayed longer to help with the budget. Oefinger has worked for the town for 35 years, including 14 years as town manager.
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