MANSFIELD - Selectmen have chosen a Georgia-based headhunting firm to kick off the search for the next town manager.

By a 3-2 vote, the board selected Slavin Management Consultants to head up the first part of the search for Town Manager John D'Agostino's replacement.

Selectmen earlier had interviewed the firm, along with North Chatham-based Groux & Associates, asking them how they would approach the process, and what skills they offered.

Firm President Robert Slavin told the board his firm's national reach would be an asset as the best candidates are not always from the local pool.

Selectmen Jess Aptowitz and Ann Baldwin voted to hire Slavin Management, saying the national firm would be able to attract strong candidates from across the country. Selectman George Dentino, who was unable to attend last week's meeting, also voted via sealed envelope for the firm, after getting an opinion from town counsel.

Selectmen Kevin Moran and Sandra Levine voted for the North Chatham-based Groux & Associates, citing the firm's experience in Massachusetts. Slavin Management gave an estimate of $14,280 to do the work, while Groux & Associates said they could do the job for $9,000.

Under traditional bidding process rules, the board did not know the prices of the two firms until after they had made their decision.

A third firm, Mark Morris Associates of Brookline, had submitted a bid, but was not interviewed by the board because of a scheduling problem.

Slavin will now meet with selectmen, department heads and the town's search committee to formulate requirements of the next manager.

He told the board that he expects to have finalists presented to the board within 90 days of his hiring. D'Agostino's contract expires in November.

MATT KAKLEY covers Mansfield for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0333 or at mkakley@thesunchronicle.com.