By Gail Geraghty

Staff Writer

As Bridgton begins seeking a new town manager, selectmen are also considering creating a new position of deputy town manager.

Little has been said publicly as of yet as to what precipitated the need to consider a deputy manager, who would fill in for the town manager as needed and perform many of the same duties. The board voted out of executive session at their Feb. 11 meeting to have Town Manager Mitch Berkowitz create a draft job description for the position. Berkowitz, who recently announced his retirement, complied with that request on Tuesday, but as Chairman Doug Taft was absent, the board decided to put off discussing the position until their March 11 meeting.

The draft document describes a “senior management and administrative position” who would assist the town manager and provide supervision over town departments. The deputy “may” make disciplinary decisions and direct department heads, the draft states.

“The deputy frequently has considerable independence of action in the disposition of routine operations and personnel matters, and in receiving complaints, giving information and other public contact work,” the draft states. “Work is performed under the general supervision of the town manager,” the draft states, and that work “is normally carried out in accordance with only general instructions and is subject to occasional review of methods and results.”

Acting Selectman Chairman Bernie King announced the names of the Town Manager Search Committee as Mike Tarantino, chairman, Stan Cohen, vice-chairman, Wayne Rivet, Elaine Rounds, Karen Eller, Steve Stevens and Georgiann Fleck. Fleck’s job is as executive assistant to the town manager, and she has previously served as acting town manager during periods of transition between town managers.

Berkowitz has agreed to stay on until at least after the June Town Meeting, and will begin taking vacation leave in early July.