The Halifax Board of Selectmen voted unanimously August 18 to offer the town administrator position to Blair Crane, current Public Works Director in Norfolk, following interviews with two finalists selected from an initial pool of 20 candidates.
The appointment is contingent upon successful contract negotiations and background checks. Crane, who has served as Norfolk’s Public Works Director for more than six years, would be a first-time town administrator.
“I believe that every town has its challenges,” Crane said during his interview. “I think that society, not just in Halifax, but probably most towns within the Commonwealth, are feeling the pressure of budgetary constraints.”
The selection comes as Halifax faces significant financial pressures, with five union contracts requiring negotiation within the next year and potential discussion of a Proposition 2½ override. The town operates on a $21 million budget.
Board Chair Jonathan Selig described the upcoming period as particularly challenging. “I think the next year or so is going to be challenging,” he said. “Just with a couple things that are coming down the pike, like most communities in this area, we’re under an extreme budget crunch where there’s talk of possibly a two and a half override.”
Community Paradigm Associates consultant Bernie Lynch, who managed the search process, explained the competitive market for municipal administrators. “For some years now, the market for town administrators, town managers, has become very, very competitive in terms of the supply of people for these positions is not as great as the demand for the positions,” Lynch said.
The search began with 20 interested candidates, but several withdrew during the process. Three candidates obtained other positions, and six were deemed to lack sufficient municipal government experience. The screening committee ultimately interviewed three candidates before recommending two finalists to the Board of Selectmen.
Crane manages a $50 million budget in Norfolk and oversees nine divisions with 18 to 25 employees. He holds certification as a Municipal Chief Procurement Officer (MCPPO) after completing the program following a procurement issue in Norfolk that resulted in questions from the state Attorney General’s office.
“That was part of the reason why I went through the MCPPO certification course, to do that and to learn from it,” Crane explained. “But there was beyond them asking a lot of questions, there was never any fines or any sort of ramifications from that other than for all intents and purposes, this is a learning curve here.”
The new administrator will face immediate challenges beyond budget negotiations. Halifax currently is not in compliance with MBTA zoning requirements, which limits the town’s eligibility for certain state grants. The town is involved in litigation with the state over the issue.
“We’re currently in litigation with the state, so we’re waiting on a decision,” Selig told Crane during the interview. “And once that comes, we’ll deal with it.”
Crane acknowledged the grant funding challenge but suggested exploring private sector partnerships as potential alternatives. He also emphasized his experience with grant applications, noting he received a $146,000 grant from the Department of Ecological Restoration for a bridge culvert project in Norfolk on the morning of his Halifax interview.
The Town Administrator position requires extensive availability beyond normal business hours. Halifax’s administrator typically attends evening meetings for various boards and committees, including the Finance Committee, Conservation Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals.
“My average for the past six years has been about 47 and a half hours, 48 hours a week, although I’m paid for 40,” Crane said. “If I have one downfall, it’s probably that I’m a bit of a workaholic.”
Crane described his leadership philosophy as collaborative, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with both board members and town employees. “The Town Administrator, in my opinion, first and foremost, is to bring everybody together,” he said. “No one person is going to do everything.”
His background includes military service in the Air Force and experience as an EMT. He previously worked in Cheshire in the Berkshires, where he served on the master plan implementation committee as Chair while working as Public Works Director.
The second finalist was Rana Mana-Doerfer, Assistant Finance Director and Director of Procurement in Dedham, who has seven years of public service experience. Board members praised both candidates’ qualifications during their deliberations.
“I thought both candidates were very strong again kudos to the subcommittee the screening committee for delivering two very solid candidates,” Selig said.
Board member Tom Pratt noted the difficulty of the decision. I really could go either way and saying that I think both of them would bring something to the town,” he said.
The board will meet in executive session at a future meeting to establish contract terms before beginning negotiations with Crane.
Lynch noted that municipal administrator turnover has increased significantly across Massachusetts. “Roughly 80%, maybe a little bit higher, of the communities in Massachusetts have changed their administrators and their managers over the last five or so years,” he said.
The board emphasized the importance of finding someone committed to staying in Halifax long-term. “I’d like for someone to choose this to be their spot as well to lead us and work with us,” Pratt said.
Crane expressed his commitment to the position, noting Halifax was the only community where he applied. “I believe to throw it out there for something you really believe in,” he said. “I think this is a great community and would like the opportunity.”