Oak Bluffs Names Interim Town Administrator

Oak Buff has a new interim town administrator, former Falmouth town administrator Robert Whritenour.

The appointment comes on the heels of on July 31. Selectmen had previously narrowed the pool of applicants to two, Whritenour and Oak Bluffs resident Donald Andrews. Andrews later withdrew his name from consideration.

Following a brief discussion as to whether the selectmen should look to additional candidates, the five-member board unanimously appointed Whritenour to the position. Board chairman Kathy Burton said the selectmen would begin the hiring process with the town’s labor lawyer following the meeting.

Whritenour served as Falmouth’s town manager for 10 years, but resigned under pressure in November. Prior to that, he served as town administrator for Mashpee. His tenure in Falmouth at times sparked controversy. According to a Cape Cod Times report detailing his resignation, Whritenour was accused of sexual misconduct in a Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination complaint and of disseminating a constable candidate's sealed criminal history. He was later cleared on both accounts, but tense relations with town officials remained.

Selectmen Mike Santoro and Walter Vail said they had checked Whritenour’s references, and felt comfortable naming him to the interim position.

“There are some criticisms, which in my view don’t take him out of the running,” said Vail. “He has the strong financial background that we need right now. We need someone that can step into the interim role right now with the kind of skills that he has.”

“I think that if this board chooses to negotiate something with Mr. Whritenour, we will find the skills that we need right now, despite anything that people might want to say about his background,” said Vail.

“This guy’s certainly very talented. Hopefully he’ll accept it,” said selectmen Greg Coogan.

“Let’s get him on board quick, stat, emergency,” said Burton.

Following a vote to appoint Whritenour, selectmen turned their attention to their search for a permanent town administrator. Vail in particular championed the skills of Stanley Arend, who was a finalist for the town administrator position in 2006, but later withdrew his application. He name was tossed about in complimentary terms frequently throughout the meeting.

Vail suggested the selectmen keep Arend in the loop regarding the hiring of a permanent town administrator. “Okay, well that’s that. We’ll get there when we get there,” said Burton.