Barely achieving quorum at their Wednesday meeting, Dukes County commissioners discussed next steps in their search for a new county treasurer.
The full-time elected position, which boasts an annual salary cap of $100,000 plus benefits, became vacant following the departure of former treasurer Ann Metcalf in July.
“We interviewed a few candidates,” County Executive Martina Thornton said. One, according to the county, “might be fine…however, she’s very limited on the hours she can work.” The number of hours is approximately 23 hours per week. Thornton said discussions need to take place between the Treasury Department, the airport and the county to “determine if this is even feasible.” . . but we don’t have another [suitable] candidates.”
With few options left, Commissioner Tristan Israel offered to hire the candidate on the short term, while optimistically awaiting more interest. But, he said, “we’re pushing towards late fall. . . What if we had no one?
Thornton explained that any new hires should stay for the remainder of the term until the next election. Commissioner Leon Brathwaite agreed and said temporarily filling the role with someone who “we don’t think can do the full job” would not be good practice.
Commission Vice-President Don Leopold asked if bringing in someone as a consultant would be an option. Thornton said the commission can hire consultants, but that doesn’t solve the underlying problem.
“The problem is that someone has to be appointed to the position [and have] this responsibility of the Treasury on their shoulders, [in addition to having] signing authorities on all of our accounts,” Thornton said. She said existing county employees cannot fill the position and the candidate must be from Dukes County.
Commissioner Keith Chatinover reiterated previous statements about considering changes to the legislation that would “at a minimum, broaden our search, during times when there is a vacancy, off-island” .
Chatinover also expressed interest in pursuing changes to the laws that would make the position of treasurer an appointed role rather than an elected one.
In a 2018 letter to the editor Announcing her retirement, former Dukes County Treasurer Noreen Flanders, who at the time was the most senior county treasurer in the state, described the duties of the position:
“Please allow me to remind everyone that the position of county treasurer is very different from that of a city treasurer, since the duties are both that of treasurer and accountant for all departments and county programs,” she wrote. “The county treasurer is also chairman of the pension board and has fiscal responsibilities to Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank.”
“I love the 20,000 people who call the island home,” Chatinover said, “but it’s not like there’s a plethora of people who fit that single job description.”
In other cases, commissioners approved the distribution of $50,000 from the state to go to Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, a non-profit organization focused on restoring the shellfish resources of the vineyard.
“This money is going to a great program,” Danielle Ewert, Tisbury Shellfish Constable and President of the Shellfish Group, told commissioners, “we’re putting it to good use to propagate all of our ponds.”
The Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, made up of the island’s six towns and established in 1976, aims to increase shellfish production and protect habitat.
“I’m really impressed with what you’re doing,” Leopold said, after approving the request.
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