The selection committee for the new Director of Facilities met last night and passed a motion to postpone discussion of the three finalists and selection of a director. Superintendent Mary Gormley and Town Administrator Kevin Mearn both asked for more time to consider the choice and the other three members of the committee; Selectman John Shields, School Committee member Denis Keohane,a nd Consolidated Facilities Committee Chair Tony Cichello deferred to their request.

Mr. Cichello opened the session by recapping the process to date. The Consolitated Facilities Committee received 70 resumes from across the country, interviewed 17 of those and passed along three “very well qualified” finalists to the selection committee. The three finalists are Frederick Yule of Plymouth, John Crompton of Wrentham, and Bill Ritchie who is currently head of facilities for the Milton Public Schools.

Mr. Mearn said he could not recall when the town had such a situation as this where they had taken a measure such as this putting all resources “under one unit.” He voiced appreciation for the hard work that had been done and acknowledged that all three candidates would “fit the bill” but said he was “not ready” to make a decision and asked for 2 more weeks to think it through. Ms. Gormley shared that opinion. “I too would like just a little more time.” Mr. Shields response was, “I say we indulge them.” Keohane and Ciclello agreed.

The general consensus was that given the process has gone on 2 years, given the significance of the choice, and that this person will report into both the Town Administrator and Superintendent; another 2 weeks is not going to hurt. “If people are not ready to make the decision then we wait,” stated Cichello. The group will reconvene on March 14th at 6:30pm in the Cronin Conference Room.