The appointment of a new treasurer is expected in September.
Gregory I. KallfaWESTFIELD – City Treasurer Gregory I. Kallfa is not retiring until later this year but the city is already looking for his successor.
The pending vacancy is already posted on the city’s website and in area publications, a move that will allow the city adequate time to find a new treasurer.
Jeffrey Krok, acting personnel director, said this week the early posting will, if successful, allow the City Council to make an appointment by mid-September allowing a smooth transition in administration of the Treasurer’s Department.
Kallfa acknowledged this week that notification of his pending retirement, after some 28 years as treasurer, was presented to city officials last November.
“I will be 64 in October and it is time,” he said of his pending retirement. He expects to retire at the end of October.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik said Kallfa has “done an outstanding job, he will be hard to replace.
“As mayor I could sleep well at night because he was on the job protecting city funds,” the mayor said.
Kallfa said the early notice will insure “a smooth transition and to give the necessary time to choose a replacement.”
The posting does not include a salary range. That will be depend upon experience, Krok said. Kallfa earns about $78,000 annually.
The Personnel Department will accept resumes until 5 p.m. Aug. 16.
The City Treasurer oversees relations between that office and other city departments, must be bonded and is responsible for investing city funds in compliance with Massachusetts General Laws. The city is requiring applicants to have a bachelor degree in finance, business, accounting or related field and have three to five years experience in banking, business or financial management.
A description of the position and application is available online at www.cityofwestfield.org.
Kallfa was appointed treasurer in 1984 and since then has led the city securing financing for more than $245 million in capital projects. “We juggled various priorities and at times those priorities were simultaneous and we had to choose the most pressing ones to complete,” Kallfa said.
The Personnel Department will screen applicants and create a final list of candidates to be presented to the City Council for appointment.