NEWTON FALLS — Village council on Wednesday spent several hours interviewing three finalists for the village manager position.

Council went into executive session shortly after the beginning of the meeting and interviewed three candidates, with each given 45 minutes.

The candidates interviewed were Wade Calhoun of Youngstown, who previously served as city manager in Canfield; Jeremy Shaffer of Geneva-on-the-Lake, who is director of human resources for Wilmington, Ohio; and former Trumbull County engineer Randy Smith of Warren.

Shaffer also was one of five finalists for the Boardman Township administrator position earlier this year. Former Girard Safety Service Director Mark Ragozine landed that job.

The three finalists were among 15 applicants who sought the position.

The position became open when former village manager Jamie Vernaccini stepped down in April. She had served as village manager since September.

Vernaccini served as interim village manager for four to five months prior to being named manager and also served as the village’s finance director for 18 months while also serving as interim village manager.

Former village clerk Kathy King is serving as the temporary interim village manager for at least two months as council searches for a new manager. King started April 15.

As part of the agreement, King will work part-time for 24 to 30 hours and be paid $14,999, with one month being paid $9,800 and $5,199 for the second month.

Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert said King will serve for two months, but the agreement can be extended to the end of the year if it takes longer to find a new village manager.

She said council would like to have someone in place as soon as possible.

Council was in executive session late Wednesday but took no action.

Stimpert said an executive session is also set for June 3.