Canton Officially Says Goodbye To Longtime Chief Administrator

CANTON, CT — Last week was the final week for Canton's longest-running chief administrative officer, with Robert Skinner officially riding off into retirement.

In a message to the community about the situation, Canton First Selectman Kevin Witkos said the hope is for the town and its board of selectmen to make an offer to a new leader later this month or next month.

Meanwhile, Witkos offered Skinner a "fond farewell" after his 16 years of "dedicated service" ended.

"Bob was the longest-serving CAO for the town. Bob’s leadership, stability and understanding of what it takes to lead a town will certainly be missed," Witkos wrote.

Selectmen recently hired recreation chief Taryn Schrager to lead the town as acting CAO on an interim basis.

"Taryn’s developed skills and dedication to the town as the Director of Parks & Recreation will serve the town well as we seek a permanent replacement to Bob’s position," Witkos said.

Witkos also updated the town about the search process.

He said selectmen Stephen Sedor and Elizabeth Corkum Winsor are serving as Canton's executive search committee.

So far, Witkos reported, the town has received "many résumés from interested individuals and narrowed the field of applicants to eleven individuals."

He said he 11 individuals were invited to an interview panel which consisted of three area town managers.

"The search committee will then interview the top five candidates and forward several recommendations to the full board of selectmen," Witkos said.