Interviews to start for city manager job

The City Council is moving forward on interviewing four candidates to fill the open city manager position.

The regular meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, had been cancelled, but the council held a special meeting Monday night to approve next steps in the process to replace Scott Hurlbert, who resigned in August.

In a closed session, council members discussed possible candidates for the position and decided to start the interviewing process with four candidates. The interviews will be taking place in the next couple of weeks, said Councilmember Cathy Prout.

Hurlbert had tendered his resignation, which was accepted by a split City Council., At the time, questions were raised about the cause. In the agreement between the city and Hurlbert, it was said that “differences in opinion regarding city businesses and affairs ultimately led to the City Manager’s leaving.”

After Hurlbert’s departure, Jim Zervis, the administrative services manager, was named acting city manager.

The council has used the services of a recruiting company to assist in a far-reaching search.

In other council news, the city voted unanimously to purchase new radio equipment for the Animal Control Department. The existing equipment is 12 years old and is much too slow for today’s needs, according to Animal Control Officer Nick Ridding, This new equipment and software will keep the department in communication throughout the city. New wireless radios, internet equipment and transmission lines will give the city a newer and much faster system. The estimated cost of the project is $30,000.