'Several' Options Emerge for Open Treasurer Job

Deputy Treasurer Barbara Dewing is willing to "pinch-hit" on an interim basis should the treasurer position be open after the March 12 elections, Town Administrator Paul Apple told the North Hampton Select Board Monday night.

Apple said there are also already "several" other candidates who have expressed interest in serving as treasurer, which could be open after the elections because no one filed paperwork to run for the position, currently held by Marcia Van Dyke.

Selectmen have the authority to appoint a treasurer — whether it be full-time or someone like Dewing on an interim basis — if there are no candidates.

Various incarnations of the board have discussed for years the benefits of changing town laws in order to turn the position into an appointed job rather than an elected one, although Selectman Larry Miller said residents have made it clear this year and at previous annual town meetings that they would like to elect the treasurer.

Apple said he won't advertise for an appointed treasurer candidate until after election day in order to give a write-in candidate a chance to run for the position, which would make a post for the job opening unnecessary.

"[We] didn't want to get in the way of the voters until they had their chance to speak," said Apple, who said filing the position isn't necessary an urgent matter, but it is something the town needs "to move on very quickly."

Selectman Phil Wilson said the board should have a candidate in in line for appointment before town meeting, if possible, just in case there are no right in campaigns. He also said having a qualified, experienced person as North Hampton's first appointed treasurer could also "do such a good job that it would be a more convincing argument that [the position] should be appointed" rather than elected.