Great Barrington taps Tabakin for manager job

GREAT BARRINGTON – After a day of interviews, the board of selectman chose Jennifer Tabakin, a senior program manager in New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, as the new town manager.

Ms. Tabakin will replace outgoing Town Manager Kevin O’Donnell, whose contract was not reviewed after two consecutive negative performance reviews.

The other finalist the board interviewed was Ronald San Angelo, who is a former Connecticut state representative and town manager of Naugatuck.

The select board also had a third finalist, Michael Sullivan of Maynard, but he was hired as the new South Hadley town manager before the interviews and was withdrawn from consideration.

Ms. Tabakin’s largest accomplishments while in her role in New York City include overseeing the $300 million Yankee Stadium Park Project and working as a project manager for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Yet, with these accomplishments, one weak spot during her interview was her lack of work in the town manager capacity, but these concerns were overcome by the board.

“The one reservation I have is her lack of experience,” said Selectman Stephen Bannon.  “But I think she will be willing to make it up with hard work and general knowledge.”

The board was also impressed with her knowledge of the area; Ms. Tabakin explained she was familiar because of family that lives in The Berkshires.

Selectwoman Alana Chernila expressed that she thought taking a “risk” on a candidate with the upside of Ms. Tabakin was a good choice for the town.

Mr. O’Donnell’s contract expires on April 25 and a new contract will now need to be reached with Ms. Tabakin.

The select board explained the details of that contract including the length and start date, as well as starting salary, are yet to be set. Those details need to be set in time for her new salary to be approved at this year’s town meeting.

Posted by Kameron Z. Spaulding on March 14, 2013. Filed under Community News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry