Murray to act as village administrator

Village Administrator Keith Spadaro stepped down from his position on Oct. 9 to take a job in the private sector. While the village conducts a search for his replacement, it announced that Mayor Francis X. Murray will take over the job.

Murray will take over as interim Village Administrator during the search. The village has already begun the search. It is running an ad in the New York Times and is conducting a broad and in-depth interview process. The village will vet the applications it receives, and each prospective candidate will be interviewed by the Board of Trustees.

“The village is conducting a thorough search to find a candidate who can demonstrate experience in strategic planning, public finance and intergovernmental relations,” Murray said in a release. “The chosen candidate will assist the Board of Trustees in continuing to grow and develop this village while holding down taxes by increasing efficiencies across every department and aggressively seeking grants and gifts.  I look forward to filling the position until such a candidate is found.”

Murray will be overseeing the day-to-day operations of the village, as well as conducting his normal duties as mayor. He will supervise nearly 20 departments and work with all of the village’s department heads.

Having Murray take over the role is also saving the village money — he is not being paid for the work.

“Throughout his first term as mayor, Fran was both interested in and heavily involved in nearly every facet of village government,” said Village Comptroller Michael Schussheim, who has served as interim village administrator in the past. “I have every reason to believe that he will be an outstanding interim village administrator.”

Village Spokeswoman Julie Scully said that, since he took office four years ago, Murray has been very active in the operations of the village. He has been in Village Hall nearly every day (even though the position of mayor is technically a part-time one) and worked closely with Spadaro and the village’s department heads. Additionally, he has decades of experience running his own businesses.

“The Board of Trustees has complete confidence in Mayor Murray to bring the highest level of experience and leadership, as well the professionalism of all the department heads and staff, while a search is conducted,” Deputy Mayor Nancy Howard said. “The village will continue to provide all services and functions without any loss.”