Tilton Selectboard seeks applicants for vacant seat through Jan. 7

TILTON — The Tilton Selectboard has been working with only four members since the resignation of former Vice Chair John Scanlon about three months ago, and now they plan to get back to full strength for the remainder of his term, which ends in 2026.

Scanlon was a longtime member of the board, and according to Town Administrator Scott Hilliard, he retired from his full-time job and decided he wanted to move to Arizona, to be close to his daughter and grandchildren. He resigned from the selectboard on Sept. 25.

“He is enjoying the sunny weather while we get the cold,” Hilliard said with a laugh. “But it is time to fill the seat. You know what a four-person board means? A tie. So, it is important to go back to five, or an odd number.”

A request for applicants was posted on the town’s Facebook page, and he said two people have applied already. Hilliard said they both have experience serving on committees or boards in town. He said on Tuesday he heard there might be another person thinking about applying.

The plan is for the selectboard to interview the candidates during a nonpublic session on Thursday, Jan. 8, one day after the application deadline.

“Between now and then, we could have more,” Hilliard said.

The ideal applicant will have a “willingness to serve,” Hilliard said, and be ready to contribute to meetings with a bimonthly commitment. He said there are other workshops and nonpublic meetings, as well.

“We want to see someone who is available on Thursday nights, and a good community volunteer.”

Interested residents should email a letter of interest to Hilliard at shilliard@tiltonnh.org.

Hilliard said when he first became town administrator, there was a vacant spot on the board, and he ran the meeting to elect new member Eric Adams.

“That worked out well, because now he’s the chair,” Hilliard said.

Hilliard said most who tend to apply are those who have been in public service one way or another. It is ideal for them to have some knowledge of what municipal government entails, including familiarity with procedures, but they will also be sent to a sort of selectboard class. The class is organized by the New Hampshire Municipal Association to explain what the job includes, and Hilliard said it has been very helpful for new members.

“We usually do it just after the appointment, so if they start a new session in January, it might be as early as February,” Hilliard said.