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SPENCER – The Board of Selectmen on September 8 appointed Jane Snellman as interim treasurer/collector, pending background, reference checks and drug testing.
She will replace Rebecca Forand, who now works as the treasurer/collector in Sutton.
On September 1, Selectmen interviewed four candidates for the position: Snellman, Lisa Mills, Travis Courtney and Gregory Rosum. Each candidate was asked the same six questions and then board members ranked the quality of their answers and interviews from one to five.
All members reported having results with Snellman and Mills placing the highest.
In the end, Snellman’s experience working as a treasurer/collector in a municipality gave her the edge.
Snellman worked most recently as treasurer/collector in Millville for four years and in that office in Upton for more than six years. Prior to that, she served as a forensic bookkeeper/consultant as a business owner.
Town Administrator Jeff Bridges explained that the position will be the subject of a Town Meeting warrant article in the fall, seeking to change it from an elected to an appointed position. The issue would also appear on the May 2027 election ballot.
If it becomes an appointed position, Bridges and the board would assess how well Snellman is performing in the role.
“If she’s doing a good job, there’s no reason not to appoint and keep her,” Bridges said.
Selectmen noted that if it is an elected position, the candidates who are Spencer residents should feel to run for the role. Mills and Courtney identified themselves as Spencer residents, while Rosum said he was a long-time former resident.
According to LinkedIn, Snellman received an undergraduate degree from Boston University and lives in Upton.
During her interview, Snellman spoke about establishing financial priorities, the importance of communication and cross training, establishing more efficient processes and having inter-departmental collaboration that helps residents.
She cited as accomplishments increasing the amount of the general fund’s interest income from $2,000 in FY22 (before her arrival) to $29,674 by FY25. The interest earnings overall for town assets increased from $3,117 to $144,003 during those same fiscal years.
Snellman also noted that instituting an online payment system that is available all the time—including weekends—had benefited her work municipality.
“I like to be helpful…make a difference and feel like I’m being a positive and not just cracking the whip, (saying) `pay this,’” she said.
Selectmen Chair Gary Woodbury said it is important that Spencer get an interim treasurer/collector on board who can “hit the ground running,” with municipality experience.
All members praised the candidates for their interest and quality. The chair added that he is “thrilled,” the board had this pool of applicants to pull from.
In other business, Selectman Jared Grigg suggested the board honor Michael Befford, retiring police chief, at a future meeting. His last day is September 11.
Selectman Chris Woodbury thanked the police chief for his many years of service, calling his departure “definitely a big loss for the town.”
Also, Vice chair Jonathan Viner said he would like to have a wrap up/debriefing about the Spencer Fair at a later date. He said there was a “spectacular difference between last year and this year.”
