By Carol Britton Meyer

Community Paradigm Associates came out on top following lengthy interviews Wednesday by the select board as it sought to hire a consultant to search for a new town manager.

The principals from Paradigm and Groux-White Consulting, LLC presented overviews of why they thought their firm was right for the job.

While the vote at the end of the interviews was unanimous, the board agreed that either firm would have been a good choice.

Bernard Lynch made the presentation for Plymouth-based Paradigm, noting that the firm was founded in 2014 and has conducted more than 90 town manager and town administrator searches and 30-plus more for other positions.

“We have a good handle on the marketplace,” he said. “We have a good process that we have fine-tuned over time. We customize it as needed to the communities we are working with and what they need to be successful in finding the best possible candidates for this position. We cast a broad net.”

Others involved are Peter Morin, the former Norwell town administrator and another principal of the firm, and Sharon Flaherty, who does research and interviews candidates and community members.

Lynch described the comprehensive network of potential candidates that Paradigm has access to and explained the process.

“It’s not just about placing ads. We want to know exactly what you want and need in the next town manager,” he said.

Other components include working with a soon-to-be-created screening committee, advertising statewide and beyond for the position, and interviewing town staff and conducting an online survey for community members as steps leading up to developing a list of candidates.

“We will also work with the select board on questions to ask candidates and assessment tools to guide them through the process and help in whatever ways we can to help the town make the right decision,” Lynch said. “Our process works successfully.”

The biggest challenge, he explained is the lack of candidates, although there are signs of that situation “loosening up.”

A particular challenge in finding a replacement for Lemnios, Lynch said, is that “Hull’s location is wonderful, but the geography can make it challenging to get to for potential candidates who would be commuting.”

Lemnios brought up the issue of residency requirements, and Lynch explained that several communities that had such criteria have eliminated or are considering eliminating it.

“It can be more difficult to attract candidates with such a requirement in place,” because making the move to another town can place a burden on the new town manager and his or her family.

Morin knows the town well and has worked with Lemnios.

“Hull has benefitted from its reputation for being well-managed,” he said. “Phil is very well regarded and was my mentor when I started in Norwell. Being able to retain skilled and reputable town managers for decades speaks well for Hull and will attract many candidates during this turbulent era of town government.”

A contract will be ready for the select board to sign at their Feb. 15 meeting.

Richard White, representing Groux-White, outlined what he saw as the benefits of the town hiring his firm, including the “unique approach” of offering an 18-month guarantee for communities and town managers that don’t turn out to be a good fit, his involvement in every interview, the firm’s experience in working with coastal communities, and other considerations.

Board members noted that they liked White’s hands-on approach but that a deciding factor was the smaller size of the Groux-White firm.

The board chose Paradigm because of the availability of more staff and the firm seemed like a “better-seasoned operation and more professional,” board member Donna Pursel said.

When asked prior to the vote for his input, Lemnios said he felt that both firms would serve the town well.

“I won’t make a recommendation, because it wouldn’t be appropriate,” he said.