The Cape Elizabeth Town Council this week was expected to approve a recruitment advertisement for a new town manager.

Under the timeline created by the Eaton Peabody Consulting Group, the firm the council hired to assist with the search for a new top administrator, the deadline for applications would be Nov. 18. The new manager would replace Michael McGovern, who is retiring from the job he has held since 1985 at the end of the year.

The first round of interviews would likely take place during the week of Dec. 12 and the second round of interviews, which would be with the two finalists, would then take place in early January.

Don Gerrish, South Portland’s interim city manager and a principal at Eaton Peabody, said this week the ad seeking a new town manager for Cape would include some of the information gathered through interviews with department heads and forums with the council and the public.

A public forum held last week to get input attracted a half-dozen residents, Gerrish said, but he added, “I think everybody has a good understanding of the issues and know what they want.”

Among the issues a new town manager would be expected to tackle include development of a new comprehensive plan, an aging population and how to generate revenue to cover municipal expenses, a report prepared for the council prior to its Oct. 25 meeting said.

The report also said the new manager would be expected to understand the different dimensions of Cape, which include working farms and a working waterfront, along with limited development and no large employers.

Among the characteristics the town would like to see in a new manager are someone who is balanced, thoughtful and patient, along with having a high level of municipal experience, according to the report.

In addition, the report said, the town is seeking someone with strong management, leadership and organizational skills, who is a visionary and forward thinking, and who has strong communication skills with citizens, staff and the media.

The council is meeting Tuesday, after the Current’s print deadline.

– Kate Irish Collins