Oakland narrows town manager search to five

The Oakland Town Commission voted at its May 9 meeting to terminate interim town manager Jack Butler without cause and to appoint Town Clerk Elise Hui as the interim manager until a permanent one can be hired. A search is being conducted.

“The town of Oakland has voted to terminate Jack Butler without cause effective immediately,” Mayor Kathy Stark said. “Severances will be paid based on his contract terms.”

Butler has been serving as interim manager since the previous town manager, Steve Koontz, retired April 1.

“It’s not for cause, and we wish him well,” Stark stressed of Butler’s termination.

The Town Commission engaged an executive recruitment firm to manage the process of recruiting a permanent town manager. The town has looked at all the applications, and the search has been narrowed to five.

“We have some very good candidates,” Stark said. “We are hopeful that we’ll be able to make an offer next Friday (May 19).”

Hui will handle both job duties until a new manager is hired.

The five candidates will be in Oakland Thursday, May 18, to take a tour of the town with Stark and Public Works director Mike Parker. That evening, a reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 at the Oakland Meeting Hall, 221 N. Arrington St., and Stark said the public is invited to meet the candidates. Those interested in attending should RSVP to [email protected].

IN OTHER NEWS:

• The Oakland Town Commission approved its consent agenda, which included an agreement to allow the Oakland Police Department to conduct traffic enforcement in the gated communities of John’s Cove and John’s Landing. The homeowners associations made the request. State statute doesn’t allow traffic enforcement on private property without a written agreement. The police department will solely be responsible for enforcement, including the scheduling of patrols and the use of radar. All decisions regarding the level of traffic enforcement on the private roads and staffing will be within the sole discretion of the police department.

• The commission approved a fourth amendment to the development agreement with Oakland Park regarding a buffer fence between Macchi Avenue and the seventh phase of the neighborhood.

• The town proclaimed May 15, 2023, Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 15 through 21, 2023, National Police Week. The proclamation was presented to Chief Darron Esan.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am with our community policing police department,” Mayor Kathy Stark said.

“You guys are phenomenal,” Commissioner Mike Satterfield said.

• A proclamation was read declaring May 21 through 27, 2023, National Public Works Week and presented to Public Works director Mike Parker.

“We love the job that you do,” Stark said. “You have been for a very long time a welcome addition to this town.”