Springfield Treasurer-Collector Stephen Lonergan and Palmer Treasurer-Collector Paul Nowicki are 2 of 4 finalists to replace Gregory Kallfa.
WESTFIELD — Springfield Treasurer-Collector Stephen J. Lonergan and Palmer’s Treasurer-Collector Paul A. Nowicki are two of four finalists for the job of city treasurer here.
Also in the running are Meghan C. Miller, assistant controller at Appleton Corporation in Holyoke, and Kathleen Cooley, a fiscal manager at the New England Farm Workers' Council fuel assistance program.
The treasurer appointment is with the authority of the City Council, which is expected to take action at its Nov. 1 meeting.
Gregory Kallfa
Westfield Treasurer Gregory I. Kallfa announced last year his plan to retire next month after 30 years in the position.
Finalists were interviewed this week by the council’s Personal Action Committee. Chairman Brent B. Bean II said the committee will meet next week to decide on its recommendation to the full council for appointment.
“This pool represents very highly qualified applicants for the treasurer position,” Bean said.
That characterization was shared by fellow City Councilor Brian P. Sullivan.
“Each candidate is extremely well qualified. It will be a difficult decision, but we are pretty lucky to have this caliber of experience to consider,.” said the third Personal Action Committee member, Ward 3 Councilor Anne W. Callahan.
Lonergan has served as Springfield’s treasurer-collector since 2005. He holds a bachelor of science and master’s degree in business administration from Bentley College. Prior to his current position, Lonergan worked in the mortgage and insurance industry.
Nowicki is a former treasurer-collector in Ware, Southwick and Watertown. He has been treasurer in Palmer since 2010 and holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and finance from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Miller has a bachelor of arts degree in accounting and Spanish from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. She has held her current position as assistant controller since June, and prior to that was employed as a senior auditor since 2006 at Wolf & Company in Springfield.
Cooley holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting and a master’s degree in public administration from American International College. She has served as fiscal manager at the New England Farm Workers' Council since 2008, and she served as interim assistant treasurer for the city of West Springfield from 2005 to 2007.
The four candidates were selected from a field of 17 applicants. The job posting did not list a salary, which officials said will be based on experience. Kallfa currently earns about $78,000 annually.