The Town of Needham Select Board voted 4-1 on April 1 to appoint Katie King as town manager, effective July 5, subject to successful negotiation of an employment contract and final approval of terms by the board.

The appointment followed a multi-stage hiring process in which 15 applications were received, five candidates were invited for initial interviews, and a screening committee presented three finalists: Ben Branyon, Katie King and Cara Lustig. Select Board members said the finalists each brought different strengths; King, who currently serves as deputy town manager, was selected for her experience in budgeting, contract negotiation, housing issues and her working knowledge of state contacts and town operations.

Board members praised the screening process and thanked the screening committee — Heidi Frail, Paul Alper, Anna Haralda Gare, Michael O'Brien, Carol Faschetti, Rita Vogel and Liz Lee — and staff members Bernie and Tatiana Swanson for their roles in vetting candidates. The board heard multiple statements during its deliberations about candidates’ strengths and fit for Needham’s needs; members emphasized teamwork, trust with residents and the ability to handle complex, one-off decisions.

A board member moved the appointment and another member seconded. The motion as stated directed the board to appoint Katie King town manager effective July 5, subject to successful negotiation of an employment contract, and to appoint the chair and vice chair to a subcommittee to work with Town Counsel on contract negotiations; the final terms were to be approved by the full board. After discussion about continuity on the negotiating subcommittee and the April 15 organizational timeline, board members clarified that the chair and vice chair named in the motion referred to Kevin Keane and Heidi Veil.

The appointment motion passed on a 4-1 vote; one member, Josh, voted no. The board immediately voted to enter executive session under the stated executive-session exception to prepare for negotiations with nonunion personnel (the town manager). In the roll call for the executive session, the board voted unanimously to enter executive session and did not return to open session before adjournment.

Under the terms of the motion, the appointed chair and vice chair will work with Town Counsel on employment contract negotiations; final approval of the contract and start-date confirmation remain subject to the board’s vote following those negotiations.