Groton town manager named as finalist for job in Illinois
Groton — John Burt, the town manager hired less than a year ago to take over after longtime Groton Town Manager Mark Oefinger retired, is a finalist for a job in Urbana, Ill.
Burt was hired last May by a Republican-majority council after a national search. All but one member of the Town Council was then unseated during the November election. Burt, his wife, Stacey, and their two school-age children relocated from Michigan to Groton last summer.
“While it continues to be a great experience here, it has been a challenge moving from the Midwest,” Burt wrote in an email when asked about the Urbana job. “Having said that, I wouldn’t leave unless it was the right fit for me and my family.”
The City of Urbana announced Wednesday that Burt is one of four finalists for city administrator in that community. The city also named Elizabeth A. Hannan, finance director for the City of Urbana; Angel L. Jones, senior consultant and project manager for NOVAD Management Consulting; and Carol J. Mitten, deputy county manager for Arlington County Government in Arlington, Va., as finalists for the post.
“Over the past several months, these finalists have participated in a rigorous and extensive process that assessed their professional backgrounds, qualifications, and cultural fit,” an announcement on the city website said. “Based on their performance in that process, we believe that each finalist offers a unique combination of experience, competence, and commitment key to building a firm foundation for Urbana’s future.”
The city will hold in-person interviews on Monday and Tuesday, as well as a candidates’ forum on Tuesday evening for the finalists. The process is designed to let staff, officials and citizens learn more about each candidate, the website says.
The four finalists, including Burt, were chosen from among 68 candidates, the website says.
Groton Town Councilor Lian Obrey said the council likely would discuss the situation next week and what might make things better. Burt has done a good job, but the move to Connecticut has been difficult for family members used to the Midwest, she said.
"It's one of those things where you're trying to do something and do it well, but at the same time, he's a very family-oriented man," she said.
"There's things you just don't even think about doing when somebody's new in town," Obrey said. "You think, 'I wonder who had him over for dinner? I wonder who gave him a tour?'"
Former Groton town councilors said they were drawn to Burt by his economic development experience. He earns an annual base salary of $157,000 under the terms of his contract, which runs from July 5, 2017, until July 4, 2022.
“He’s shown to be an exceptional town manager and we’re getting right into budget season, so it’s certainly a critical time," said former Town Mayor Bruce Flax, who was part of the council that hired Burt. "I don’t like to see anyone leave. ... he’s looking at the bottom line, which is what the town needs.”
Burt’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year is expected to be distributed to the council on Thursday. He said last week he had eliminated three positions in government, which would result in two layoffs.
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