HADLEY — A longtime town administrator in Bourne who has been working on a part-time and interim basis in the same role in Vernon, Vermont, has been named Hadley’s next town administrator.
Thomas M. Guerino, of Vernon, was appointed to the position in a 3-2 vote by the Select Board Wednesday, edging out Carolyn F. Brennan, a member of the Wilbraham Select Board and East Longmeadow’s Council on Aging executive director.
“I don’t think we’re going to make a bad choice either way,” said board member John Waskiewicz.
Select Board member Joyce Chunglo said she favored Guerino because of his extensive experience in town government administration.
Hadley officials will now do a background check and enter into contract negotiations that, if successful, would make Guerino the third permanent town administrator. The salary range is $90,000 to $110,000.
David Nixon, the current town administrator announced earlier this year that he would be departing at the end of 2020. Nixon has been in the job since 2005.
Guerino told the board during an interview Wednesday evening that Hadley has a lot of things to offer.
“It has a good mix, it has a historic component, it has commitment, if you look at the infrastructure here,” Guerino said, pointing to the new town library under construction. Hadley is also opening a new senior center and fire substation this year.
Guerino said he sees changes being caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as potential for the town.
“This is a really good opportunity for me,” Guerino said. “One of the other things, I’m going to be honest, it’s close to home, I’m going to be able to sleep in my own bed, which is something I haven’t been able to do in a long time, too.”
He said he is committed to remaining in town government work for another seven to 10 years.
Guerino’s selection came after the board initially took a vote on Brennan, of Wilbraham, but only board members Jane Nevinsmith and Christian Stanley voted in favor of hiring her. They were also in the minority when the vote on Guerino was taken.
“I think they’re both great candidates. I don’t think we can really make a wrong decision,” Stanley said.
Stanley said he liked Brennan’s energy and passion and commitment. “I just got the feeling from her that she’s really invested in doing this,” Stanley said, adding that Brennan would bring a fresh set of eyes to town affairs.
Joshua A. Garcia of Holyoke, town administrator in Blandford, was the third finalist for the job, though he didn’t participate in interviews before the board Wednesday.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
