The decision to move forward with Jennifer Warren Diamond emerged after the board members expressed diverse opinions about the qualifications and potential of each candidate. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the merits of Angie Lopes Ellison, Jennifer Warren Diamond, and John Woodsmall, all of whom were praised for their distinct strengths and qualifications. The candidates were assessed based on their experience in municipal government, financial management skills, and ability to engage with the community.

Jennifer Warren Diamond’s candidacy was notable for her energetic and data-driven approach, coupled with her legal training and strong presentation skills. Her preparation for the interview process stood out, with board members acknowledging her comprehensive research on Lunenburg and her clear communication style. Despite these strengths, there were concerns about the accuracy of her resume and her ability to translate awareness of past challenges into effective solutions. Some board members expressed unease about her dominating style potentially clashing with the town’s culture.

Angie Lopes Ellison was recognized for her extensive experience as a Town Administrator, with a solid financial background and a strong emphasis on collaboration. Her interview highlighted her understanding of municipal laws and her strategic approach to staff development and succession planning. However, concerns about budget transparency during her previous employment were raised, as it was noted that department heads only reported to her, limiting the budget’s visibility to the public.

John Woodsmall was appreciated for his extensive experience in municipal government as a department head. His understanding of effective town management and his emphasis on staff investment and relationship-building were seen as valuable. However, his lack of direct experience as a town manager was a point of contention for some board members, who were seeking a candidate with established experience in the role.

The board’s deliberations revealed varying preferences among members, with some expressing a clear inclination towards candidates with prior town manager experience. One member emphasized the need for a candidate who had already served as a town manager, expressing skepticism about selecting a candidate still learning the intricacies of the position.

During the meeting, a scoring template was introduced to quantify each candidate’s strengths, evaluating them on criteria such as morale and retention, project completion, budget transparency, communication, collaboration, public engagement, and crisis management. According to these metrics, Jennifer scored the highest, followed by John and then Angie. This structured approach provided a framework for assessing the candidates’ capabilities and informed the board’s final decision-making process.

Ultimately, the board decided to proceed with Jennifer Warren Diamond as their preferred candidate, supported by a 4-1 vote. The decision was made with the understanding that contract negotiations would need to be successfully concluded. Should negotiations falter, the board acknowledged the possibility of revisiting the selection process, with a focus on maintaining flexibility and preparedness for any contingencies.

In addition to the town manager selection, the board addressed procedural matters related to the upcoming annual town meeting. They established deadlines for warrant submissions. The discussion also touched on potential scheduling conflicts due to member absences.