Feeney one of two finalists for City Clerk

Former City Councillor Maureen Feeney is one of two finalists a City Council committee will interview on Monday for the job of city clerk. The council’s Committee on Rules and Administration is scheduled to interview Feeney and another finalist, Natalie Carithers, on Dec. 12 at 3:30 p.m. in the Atkins Room.

The committee could vote on a finalist to recommend to the full 13-member City Council, according to a meeting notice signed by City Council President Stephen Murphy, a close Feeney ally.

A vote of the full council could come later that week, or later this month. The last City Council meeting of the year is set for Dec. 21.

Murphy’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The current city clerk, Rosaria Salerno, has said publicly she did not plan to step down until February, but staffers are holding a retirement party for her at Anthony’s Pier 4 on Jan. 7. The City Council, which appoints the clerk, did not reappoint Salerno to a three-year term in 2010. Instead, she became an “at-will” employee, meaning she can be let go at any time.

Feeney resigned as District 3 councillor on Nov. 10, days after voters went to the polls and chose Savin Hill’s Frank Baker as her successor. Feeney represented Dorchester since 1993 and served as council president for two terms. She also chaired the Government Operations Committee.

Carithers was once an aide to former state Rep. Willie Mae Allen (D-Mattapan). Earlier this year, she ran in the preliminary special election to replace former City Councillor Chuck Turner, who was tossed from the council after he was convicted of bribery and lying to federal agents. Carithers picked up 3.33 percent of the vote and did not make it to March’s final special election, which was won by Tito Jackson.

Feeney’s resignation set off rampant speculation that she was going for the job. She must be out of office for 30 days before she can take the job, due to a state ethics law.

The city clerk earns a salary of $102,000 a year, which is boosted by additional tens of thousands of dollars from officiating weddings.

The job was posted on the city’s website a few weeks ago, requiring applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of experience working in government. “Applicant must also have two years experience planning, organizing, or directing a public agency, including formulation, implementation and oversight of agency funding,” reads the posting. “A background or ability in personnel management, demonstrated proficiency in communications, and an ability to interact with the public in a customer service type environment.”

Other prerequisites include knowledge of the city charter, state public records, and open meeting laws, and a familiarity with Robert’s Rules, which are used to run City Council meetings.