DANVERS — There were a list of items on Tuesday night’s agenda for the Select Board, but the one attracting the most attention was the vote to decide the next town manager.
The two remaining finalists out of an original field of 31 were Jill Cahill, who has served three years as Gloucester’s chief administrative officer and Sean Fitzgerald, who served seven years as the Swampscott’s town administrator.
Selectperson David Mills opened last night’s discussions by saying Danvers is fortunate to have a town that can attract people of this quality and recommended Cahill for the post.
Selectperson Dutroche Djoko said both candidates had shown a “dedicated and strong commitment to Danvers.” He said he was leaning toward Cahill, but he would still like to hear what other people had to say.
Selectperson Michael Bean said the nominating committee had undergone a long and arduous process starting out at 31 candidates and working down to five. He said he had no doubt that Cahill was the right choice
Selectperson Maureen Bernard said that first then the nominated board picked all 31 candidates and said she would be nominating Cahill as the next town manager “pending contract negotiation.”
Select Board Chairman Dan Bennett commented on what a long progress it had been to interview all the candidates, then narrowing it down from 31 to 11, then seven, then five and then 3 to bring before the board for interviews.
Drawing from some of the comments from Gloucester residents about Cahill, Bennet read “She has the faith and respect of everyone that works for the city.”
“She does a great job of balancing interests, listening to people and trying to build bridges.”
“In this role, it was her ability to build relationships and actively listen to everyone with respect.”
“That’s a common theme in these comments,” Bennett said, “and I think that at the end of the day, that’s why I chose Jill Cahill to be our next town manager.”
Maureen Bernard said she believes that “Jill Cahill will take Danvers to the next level, which is what we need.”
Bennett then called for a vote — which passed unanimously. He then moved that they appoint Cahill as town manager, subject to contract negotiations and a further background check.
He asked for Djoko to work with him on the contract as they go forwards. Bennett said after the background next, the city would work with legal counsel and “hopefully get this done in a month.”