Residents are invited to provide input through an online survey as the West Hartford Town Council conducts the search for a new town manager.

By Ronni Newton

A job description has been posted and as part of the Town Council’s search process for a new town manager to succeed Ron Van Winkle, public input is being invited.

Van Winkle announced in early November that he would retire at the end of the current fiscal year, as of June 30, 2017.

A three-question survey has been sent out to residents through various channels, and all are invited to respond and provide their input about the important leadership qualities and characteristics they think ideal candidate should have.

The survey also asks respondents to indicate what they consider to be the top priorities for the town manager in the first year and what they consider to be the challenges facing West Hartford over the next five years. All questions provide space for additional comments and there is also an open-ended opportunity for residents to provide input.

“This is an extraordinarily important process,” Mayor Shari Cantor said. The Town Council wants residents to have a voice in the process, and thought that the survey would be an effective way to reach out to the public.

All residents are encouraged to respond to the survey. The Town Council plans to use the results to guide them as the search process progresses.

“Once we get the survey our thought is to dig down deeper through focus groups to develop more information and more indicators as needed,” said Cantor.

The online survey, which can only be completed once, will be available online from Jan. 10, 2017 to Jan. 24, 2017. The survey can be completed at West Hartford’s public libraries, and assistance is available at all branches for those who need assistance completing it.

Click on the following link to get started with the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PDBYNGN

The job has been widely advertised through sources that include the International City/County Management Association, Connecticut Town and City Managers’ Association, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, Massachusetts Municipal Association, National League of Cities, and League of Women in Government. According to the recruitment timeline, finalists for the position will be identified by late February with interviews taking place in March.

The goal is to have a decision made by early April.

More information about the town manager search process – including the job description and a recruitment brochure can be found on the Town of West Hartford website.

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