Administrator candidate pool cut to eight

DERRY | Of 20 people who applied for the next town administrator, eight were deemed qualified to compete for the job, interim Town Administrator John Moody said.

The Town Council will likely narrow that number to six and interview them in the next couple of weeks.

The number of applicants reflects an extended search designed to bring in more candidates.

Bennett Yarger Associates, which handled the search, thought more candidates would apply when the outcome of the proposal to change town government was known. The Charter Commission's proposal to allow the public to vote on big-ticket bonds and the budget failed by 45 votes at the polls last month.

The original application deadline of March 30 was extended to April 6.

"They had 20 in the pool, which isn't really a large number," Moody said.

He said he didn't think that Salem searching for a town manager at the same time was hurting Derry's chances of finding a qualified administrator.

"I think we're competitive with Salem," he said.

Salem started advertising for a new manager March 13 and, so far, has 22 resumes. The salary there is advertised at between $115,000 and $125,000.

In Derry, the administrator's job was advertised at between $110,000 and $125,000, plus benefits. Residency is required.

The council has said that a town administrator should be selected by the beginning of May, and in place by early June.