Arne Jorgensen’s mayoral win in November opens up a fifth seat on the town council.
Filling that position is at the top of Jorgensen’s agenda to start the new year, with returning member Jonathan Schecter and council newcomers Devon Viehman and Kevin Regan.
Councilmember Jonathan Schecter worried that the timeline was quick and pushed the council to delay the process by at least a week.
But he was alone in that opinion at the council’s Monday meeting. The council set an application deadline of Jan. 16, after which the five top applicants move on to an hour-long interview.
As of Monday, Town Manager Tyler Sinclair said he had already received at least five applications.
Viehman, in particular, wanted to see more questions on the application that ask candidates about their unique viewpoints or lived experiences.
Jessica Sells Chambers recently finished a term on the council and lost to Jorgensen in the mayoral race. She urged the council to pick a candidate that is already filled in with the town’s tight budget.
“I would encourage you all to consider keeping the process as confined as possible to get somebody in the seat, that’s up to speed and ready to go,” Sells Chambers said.
