Council Okays Creating No. 2 Post To Bambary

BERLIN - The Berlin Town Council this week approved the creation of a deputy town administrator post, a second in command to the town's administrative director.

'That's been in the works,' said Mayor Tom Cardinale, who was unable to attend Monday night's meeting after injuring his knee. 'Linda's got a very full plate.'

The new administrator will report directly to the administrative director, current Administrative Director Linda Bambary said, and work on many of the special projects facing the town.

'Because of the types of projects we're getting into and the interaction between all the departments that's required, we thought it was important to have a second in command, to handle whatever needs to be done in my absence,' Bambary said. 'All our projects kind of connect.'

The new deputy administrator would also be able to step in and take over a department temporarily if the head of a department departs or if the administrative director is not available.

'It's to help keep things continuing, and implement the things I haven't been able to get implemented,' Bambary said.

One of those items on the back burner is the Army Corps of Engineers' stormwater report, which Bambary has had in hand but has been unable to work on.

'I haven't had the time to put into it,' she said.

Cardinale said he hopes to have that report on a Town Council meeting agenda in November.

Salary funds are available, budgeted currently for a public works administrator for the next year, at a salary of $45,000 to $60,000.

The council voted unanimously and with no discussion to create the position.

'It is absolutely a no-brainer,' said Cardinale. 'Linda is inundated. Everything we decide on, all the work ends up on her desk.'

The post will be advertised locally and mid-shore, as well as in the Maryland Municipal League publication and with professional town manager organizations.

Bambary said she is looking for someone with a Bachelor's degree in public or business administration, with five to seven years experience or comparable training.

Bambary will have the final word on hiring, Cardinale said.

'She's the one who's going to have to work with the person. I'm going to rely very heavily on her opinion.'