The board met on July 24 and 31 in executive session to screen applications which have been arriving since early June.
Mayor Robert Friedland said it is too early to comment on individual applicants. "We're narrowing down the names. There's a few good candidates out there," he noted.
Conservative party chairperson George Panchyshyn has warmed the seat since Cummings' resignation. In all, Panchyshyn wears three hats, tripling as village director of public works. He took no salary hike for the temporary boost in power and prestige.
The new manager will start at $47,000 -- the same figure made by Cummings, according to a knowledgeable source speaking on a condition of anonymity. Trustee Evelyn Vandermark said the position is budgeted for a 5% increase this year.
No salary appears in advertisements which have appeared in ads placed in local newspapers, The Wall Street Journal, and management trade publications.
Trustee Evelyn Vandermark said the 82 applications received have been narrowed down to 25. Interviewing has not yet started.
Vandermark expressed hope that it will begin in August and be concluded quickly, voicing concern over the wisdom of running for long without a permanent manager in place.
Most applicants have masters degrees in business administration. A few have doctorates, Friedland said, who noted the pending applicants have a span of experience ranging from 7 to 20 years. All have backgrounds in management and finance.
The person selected will be "somebody that can run the village everyday business, has a knowledge of all the different departments and can communicate with our taxpayers," he said.
While applications are among in from all around the nation, Friedland said he would prefer to hire a local resident if one were qualified and willing. But Friedland pledged that "residency will be a mandatory requirement."
Cummings lived in the Town of Wallkill, in Orange County, failing to his keep his promise to move to Monticello. He did not have a written contract.
Cummings lasted only a few months in the job before walking away. The prior two managers -- James Malloy and Robert Norris -- also held the post for short durations.