By SYDNEY SCHWARTZ
The Patriot Ledger

MARSHFIELD - A decision on who will be offered the town administrator job in Marshfield could come as early as tonight.

Selectman Michael Marseco said he was "somewhat confident’’ that he and the other selectmen will be able to deliberate, come up with our number one candidate and come up with an agreement’’ when they meet tonight.

Selectmen hope to negotiate a contract by Friday. so the new administrator can start on March 1.

The three finalists for the job are Kevin Donovan, the town administrator in Kingston, Owen Quinn, the former town administrator in Winsted, Conn., and Rocco Longo, the town manager in Billerica. They all have at least 15 years of experience in similar positions.

Donovan was town administrator in Rockland and a longtime selectman and town moderator in Abington. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

Longo was town manager in Duxbury. He has a bachelor’s degree from Salem College in West Virginia and a master’s degree in public administration from West Virginia University.

Quinn was mayor and director of social services in Torrington, Conn. He graduated from the University of Connecticut.

Selectmen have been searching for a town administrator since the summer, when John Clifford resigned to build his East Bridgewater law practice. He held the job nine years and is believed to have served in the Marshfield post longer than any of his predecessors. Although his resignation took effect Aug. 10, Clifford served as interim administrator until December.

A search committee led by Edward Diamond reviewed 33 applications and chose four finalists, one of whom dropped out.

Maresco, who served on the search committee, said tonight’s deliberation will take place in public but contract negotiations will be conducted in executive session.

A salary range of $120,000 to $135,000 has been established.

Sydney Schwartz may be reached at sschwartz@ledger.com .

Copyright 2008 The Patriot Ledger Transmitted Monday, January 28, 2008