Grafton Select Board picks Templeton’s Terenzini as interim TA

Carter Terenzini spent seven years as town administrator in Moultonborough, NH, nine years previously in the same role in Spencer, before he retired.

“I was overcome by how bored I was,” he told the Grafton Select Board last night.

He immediately jumped into the role of being a temporary boss, the guy towns in between administrators would call to jump into the role, make sure finances are in order and business is proceeding, and present a new town administrator with guidance on how to take over the role.

Terenzini was the Select Board’s unanimous choice for temporary town administrator out of three candidates interviewed Tuesday night.

“You can tell he just bleeds public service,” Select Board member Ed Prisby said. “He retired, he got bored, he went right back in.”

The Select Board praised the quality of the candidates they interviewed, which also included Thomas Guerino, former town administrator in Bourne, and Nina Nazarian, former town administrator in Littleton and Princeton. Former Topsfield administrator Kellie Hebert, the board’s fourth choice to interview, dropped out of the running.

Guerino was praised for doing his homework on the town — he mentioned department heads by name and had read up on the fire department study. Nazarian, who is earlier in her career than the two men, would be better off applying for the permanent position, board members agreed.

Terenzini, a New England native, has spent a large portion of his career in North Central Massachusetts. He is closing out on his time in Templeton, a temporary role that expanded to four years due to financial issues and the need to mentor the new administrator.

“I’m known for completing the work,” he said. “I didn’t plan on being in Templeton for four years but that was what was needed.”

Grafton, however, is looking for someone to fill a three to six month post, which the Select Board hopes will be enough time for the Town Administrator Screening Committee to present finalists for the role.

That could take longer, Select Board Chairman Peter Carlson warned. Former Town Administrator Tim McInerney was interim for about nine months before he was promoted into the permanent role.

Select Board member Doreen DeFazio felt an immediate comfort with Terenzini.

“I just feel he knows how to hit the ground running and already has a direction in mind,” she said. “I really liked his style. I feel confident about interpersonal relationships with staff, because this is what he does.”

Terenzini said his first 30 days would focus on finances, getting ready for fall Town Meeting and ensuring that Grafton gets its fair share of CARES Act funding. He also said starting on the budget of Fiscal Year 2022 should be done before the new TA is found. “2022 is where the real shocks are going to be.”

The Select Board authorized Carlson to enter into negotiations with Terenzini.

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