One of the candidates for Granby’s town manager search has withdrawn his application, citing the lack of affordable housing.
Mayor Pro-Tem Deb Shaw announced at the town board meeting Tuesday that Brian Bender withdrew his application after looking into Granby’s housing availability and costs.
“He doesn’t feel he can do that,” Shaw said.
Bender is the chief administration officer and floodplain manager in Deer Lodge, Montana. With his candidacy removed, the town plans to move forward with the scheduled interviews for the four remaining candidates.
The town will hold a meet and greet with the finalists Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. and two interview panels Wednesday.
The town received 47 applications for the position, but decided against adding another candidate a week before the interviews. However, the board did agree to look at the applications again if none of the four finalists is successful.
“I think if we’re down to four and none of those four dazzle us, we’ll open it up again,” Trustee Nick Raible said.
The town manager position has been vacant since October when former town manager Aaron Blair left after holding the job for more than two years.
The remaining candidates are Ted Cherry, Jennie Fancher, Erik Hansen and Brian Wells.
After interviews, the town board plans to give direction to staff for contract negotiations at the Dec. 10 board meeting with hopes that the new manager can start by early January.
In other business:
- The board confirmed the intent of the parties in a section of the Planned Development Overlay District preliminary plan regarding short-term rentals. The board, voting 5-1, approved the plan’s intent clarifying that it would not restrict the number or location of units within the approved density for Granby Ranch.
- The board approved accounts payable for Nov. 26.
- The town attorney confirmed that the Rodeo Apartments are to be allotted 250 units, which will be outlined in the development agreement.
- The town board briefly discussed a memo from the town attorney outlining the legal options for the board if Granby Ranch does not bring bonds due at the next town meeting, Dec. 10. Trustee Natascha O’Flaherty, a liaison with the Granby Ranch Mountain District, said there was discussion at Granby Ranch’s meeting to bring a letter of commitment.