The township will engage the firm of Ward and Uptigrove as consultants to assist with hiring a new CAO.
Mapleton Mayor Neil Driscoll told the Advertiser that council made the decision to hire the firm during an in-camera session at a special meeting on Oct. 17.
The township announced the resignation of CAO/clerk Brad McRoberts on Oct. 13.
Citing family considerations, McRoberts is leaving to take a job as CAO of the Town of South Bruce Peninsula, where he formerly worked as manager of public works.
Driscoll said Ward and Uptigrove’s bid for the job was the lowest of three submitted.
“They’ve been doing quite a few municipalities lately and their bid was a lot less than the others,” he stated.
In an Oct. 25 email, McRoberts confirmed Ward and Uptigrove’s bid came in at $13,880, while the highest bid was $26,600.
Driscoll said one of the things he liked about the company’s proposal is that all members of Mapleton council will be involved in the process.
“I’m looking forward to having all of council involved … I think it’s a big enough decision they need to be involved right from the start and then we have five different opinions,” he said.
Driscoll noted Ward and Uptigrove will also assist in procuring an interim CAO as the process is not expected to be completed prior to McRoberts leaving on Nov. 20.
Further discussion of CAO recruitment was on the agenda for a closed session at the Oct. 24 meeting.
