NOTL begins process of hiring new CAO

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has set a foundation on how it will move forward to hire a new chief administrative officer.  

On Monday morning, the town’s newly established CAO recruitment committee met for the first time, beginning the process to bring in a new full-time head staffer.  

A 20-minute meeting covered a few items, including the committee’s terms of reference, a requirement to sign a confidentiality agreement, approving a description of the job, and what the hiring of an external search firm will involve.  

In January, the CAO role was taken on temporarily by Bruce Zvaniga following the resignation of former CAO Marnie Cluckie, who departed to take a top position with the City of Hamilton.  

One piece Zvaniga told the committee is of great importance is that members are “not to discuss” candidates’ qualifications in interviews — this should be saved for when the committee meets in closed session.  

The meetings are advertised in local newspapers and are open,  but will go in-camera as needed, he explained.  

“That nuance is important,” said Zvaniga.  

Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa also said while priorities are being evaluated, potential candidates should reside in Niagara, or have plans to relocate to the region if they are chosen.  

“For me, that’s really important,” he said.  

Zvaniga said while the committee chooses a firm to help headhunt a new CAO, that five will be presented to select from, and will be those who have experience in working with municipalities of similar sizes to Niagara-on-the-Lake.  

He also said his research has determined there are seven other active CAO searches currently taking place in Ontario.  

Asked by Coun. Erwin Wiens about a timeline, Zvaniga said the process will likely take about six months from where the town is on the matter currently.  

“It will be dependent on securing that external recruiting firm,” said Zvaniga, who has said in the past he is not seeking the top staff position on a non-interim basis.  

The committee will provide advice to council as it relates to the recruitment and selection of a CAO, staff said in its report to the committee, and will also provide recommendations to council on the desired performance monitoring protocol for the CAO position, staff said.  

The lord mayor and three councillors sit on the committee, Couns. Maria Mavridis, Erwin Wiens and Sandra O'Connor.