(6/10) The Taneytown City Council voted unanimously to hire a fellow council member as the municipality’s new planning and zoning director at their June meeting, resulting in a now-vacant seat on the council.
Mayor Bradley Wantz stated at the council’s June 9 workshop meeting that he was prepared to announce a nomination for a new director, whereby he identified Councilman Darryl Hale as his recommendation for filling the vacant staff position.
Wantz noted that City Manager James Wieprecht has served as the planning and zoning director, continued to do so while serving as the acting city manager, and further, continues to do so even after having been named as city manager. It was noted that Wieprecht had originally been a councilman when he had been initially hired as the city’s planning and zoning director.
The mayor pointed out that town staff had held three rounds of accepting resumes over the course of several months for the position of director, which had not resulted in producing a single, viable candidate suitable for that position, other than Hale, who had submitted his resume during the course of the last round of accepting them.
"Many of them (applicants) demanded a far greater salary than we were able or willing to pay," the mayor said, adding, "A lot of them brought good qualification bit I don’t feel they were pertinent to the City of Taneytown."
Councilman Joe Vigliotti also stated at the work session that he was "quite comfortable" if Hale were voted as the new planning and zoning director position. Vigliotti described Hale as "somebody who’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and put his hands into the earth. I certainly think that he is a good recommendation."
In considering recommending Councilman Hale for the position, the mayor said that, given Hale’s past work experience, his dedication to the city, and being so familiar with the city, he thought Hale would "fit well in this (position). This is the best recommendation I can make."
The council voted at their regular June meeting to hire Hale – Hale recusing himself from the vote – at a starting salary of circa $43,000, with his start rate to be determined. As a result of the vote, Hale must resign his seat on the council, to be effective immediately.
The mayor and council plans to select a candidate to fill Hale’s now-vacated seat via application submitted by any interested parties, and the selected candidate will be voted on at the council’s July 7 workshop meeting.
