Selectmen unanimously voted to ratify the hire of the new Director of Assessment at their Tuesday night meeting. Town Administrator Derek Sullivan announced the town has hired Jacqueline Nichols as the next Director of Assessment for Wareham.

Sullivan said after the interviews were conducted, the interview team was polled to see if there was a clear number one choice, and Nichols was the unanimous consensus top candidate.

Previous Director of Assessment Elsa Miller resigned on April 1. Sullivan said seven of the 11 applicants were interviewed a few weeks ago and he hopes Nichols could start by June 2.

Sullivan said her experience as a district appraisal manager for Vision Government Solutions made her a good fit for the job.

"She has had the commercial and residential experience to go back to the practice of in-house revaluations which can save the town much needed money," Sullivan added.

Sullivan said this year, the town hired out Vision Government Solutions for their revaluation services at a cost of $104,000. With Nichols they could do in-house revaluations and her salary would be $85,453.68.

According to the town website, the director of assessment shall be responsible to the town administrator for the day-to-day operations of the assessing department, and shall be responsible for the efficient administration of all functions of that department, and shall perform such other duties as the board of assessors should require from time to time. The director of assessment shall keep the board of assessors fully informed as to the condition of the assessing department and matters relating to assessment, valuation, taxation, and abatement. The director of assessment shall implement votes of the board of assessors which require action.

"This proposed hire frankly looks like a superstar," said Selectman Peter Teitelbaum. "This is what you get when you have a town administrator that does the job the right way, doesn't mess with people, doesn't play politics and develops a good reputation for the town."