SUNDERLAND — After four consecutive interviews with finalists for the vacant town administrator position, the Select Board has settled on Shutesbury Town Administrator Rebecca Torres.

In a unanimous vote, the Sunderland Select Board voted to put forward a conditional employment offer to Torres, pending contract negotiations, as well as reference and background checks. Torres was interviewed at the Oct. 2 Select Board meeting. Also interviewed were Williamsburg Town Administrator Nick Caccamo, Amherst Licensing Coordinator Steven McCarthy and Andrew Levine, who is chief of staff for Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon.

Select Board members highlighted Torres’ longtime commitment to Shutesbury, alongside the added bonus of her already being familiar with Franklin County, as strong characteristics. Torres has been Shutesbury’s town administrator since 2009 and served as the town’s Select Board chair from 2002 to 2009. She was also on the Finance Committee from 1994 to 2000.

“Rebecca brings a lot of strengths, so I see her as a good choice,” said Select Board member Dan Murphy. “She knows the area and I expect she’s probably going to stay right here and be happy.”

In her interview — each candidate was asked the same questions — Torres emphasized her accomplishments in Shutesbury, while also laying out how she would work with town staff and the public.

“For me, having been in Shutesbury a long time, most of the major projects I’ve worked on are coming to fruition and the challenges here seem exciting,” Torres said, highlighting how Sunderland has been able to build up a strong commercial and residential base, while still maintaining a rural character. “You’ve got opportunity for more growth, but I’m sure it has to be carefully done.”

She noted that Sunderland’s challenges are obviously quite different from the challenges in her community, which is 50% forest, but the strategies remain the same: keep an open door with staff and the public, “messaging is very important” and towns must be “fully capturing every dollar that is due to you.”

In discussing the four candidates, Select Board members were trying to determine whether Torres or Levine should be the top choice, but they ultimately chose the town administrator from their neighboring community because of her long-term experience in municipal government, as well as the likelihood that she will be stay in town for many years to come.

Sunderland has been searching for a town administrator since Geoff Kravitz left the position at the end of July to take a state role after four years. Former Sunderland town administrator and longtime public servant Margaret Nartowicz has served as an interim town administrator over the last several months.

With a potential new hire on the way, Select Board Chair Nathaniel Waring said it may be an opportunity for the town to be proactive, rather than reactive to issues.

Waring said that Torres accepted the conditional employment offer and contract negotiations are being scheduled.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.