By Debra Messick

CAMBRIDGE - Community members were nominated and approved to serve on the Citizens Search Committee for a new city manager during the Monday, May 20, City Council meeting.

David Deutsch, acting city manager and search director, asked for each representative’s nominee, after noting that the committee was mandated by the city’s charter.

 “During the previous city manager search conducted several years ago, the committee was very helpful during the process,” Deutsch said.

Leading the way, Ward One Commissioner Laurel Atkiss said she had already compiled three names.

With the next council meeting not scheduled until June 10, Deutsch reminded representatives that the more quickly they acted to submit and approve the committee names, the more quickly the step-by-step process could move forward. Mayor Stephen Rideout then asked each commissioner ready with a nominee to put the name forward to be voted on immediately.

The following were submitted and approved to serve:

Devon Beck from Sputty Cephas (Ward Four), Cassie Burton from Jameson Harrington (Ward Three), Judd Vickers from Laurel Atkiss (Ward One), Pastor Devan Martin from Lajan Cephas (Ward Two, Council President), and Carlos Estin from Brian Roche (Ward Five).

The closing date to receive applications for city manager is Tuesday, May 28, Deutsch said. With the names approved, he can go ahead and plan an initial meeting in early June to “let them know what we need from them, and to sign a confidentiality agreement,” he said.

Hopefully by late June during additional meetings the committee can come together to review candidates, then begin making recommendations to the council, Deutsch said.