[S]HELBURNE — Shelburne Town Manager Joe Colangelo is beginning the step toward becoming the next town manager for Hanover, Massachusetts.
The Hanover Selectboard voted 4-0 Thursday to offer the job to Colangelo, who has served as Shelburne’s town manager since 2014. It’s expected he will undergo a two-week background check and contract negotiation process.
Colangelo said his decision to search for new employment had nothing to do with his controversial decision to suspend for three days, without an explanation, then Police Chief James Warden last July.
An agreement hammered out with Warden and town officials rescinded the suspension and restored three days’ compensation to Warden.
Colangelo was also the subject of a petition drive spearheaded by about two dozen local residents last summer that asked the Selectboard to consider removing him from his job.
The Selectboard declined to oust Colangelo.
“I wouldn’t take it this far if I weren’t interested,” said Colangelo. “I feel it’s a very good fit personally and professionally. There was no issue in Shelburne that impacted my decision to seek the Hanover position. I’ve been completely happy my entire four years in Shelburne working here. At the end of the day, this is what is best for my family and that ultimately is the deciding factor.”
Colangelo said Friday he emailed the Shelburne Selectboard about the employment offer. He won’t formally resign from his current job, where he currently makes $105,000, until he signs an employment agreement with Hanover. He’s set to receive a $5,000 raise in April, and Colangelo anticipates talking about his contract with the Shelburne board during its March 27 meeting. A discussion about the search process for a new town manager is also expected to take place then.
Selectboard Chairman Jerry Storey and Colangelo were set to meet Friday morning to discuss a timeline about Colangelo’s departure and the search for a new town manager.
“We wish him every success,” Storey said. “We’ll be sorry to see him go.”
Storey expects the search for a new town manager could be lengthy. It is expected to start with the establishment of a search committee, followed by review of resumes, and then interviews. He said he wasn’t certain about a salary range for the job, and he hopes Colangelo’s successor meet with the outgoing town manager, if possible.
