The town’s Human Resources Department on Friday released the survey results from the June 20 town manager finalist meet and greet event. They mirrored the Select Board’s decision that interim Town Manager Elaine Lazarus was the strongest candidate for the job.

The Select Board on July 9 voted unanimously to appoint Lazarus as the new town manager. She has been serving in the interim position for the past few months in addition to her jobs as assistant town manager and head to the Land Use Department.

The number of survey responses was scant, ranging from 11 to 13. But they indicated an overwhelming preference for Lazarus in most cases.

Lazarus receives highest “strongly agree” ratings in all categories

Lazarus received the highest percentage of “strongly agree” responses per candidate at 62.5% to the question of whether the candidate has the experience and background to succeed as town manager. Chris Senior, who three Select Board members preferred as their second choice, followed with 25% in that category, with Jason Hoch receiving 12.5%. Lance DelPriore, who two Select Board members said would be their second choice, received no responses in this category, likely because of his lack of experience as a town manager or assistant town manager.

Lazarus also scored the highest percentage of “strongly agree” responses per candidate for being skilled in financial and budget management, personnel management, project management and community development with 64.3%. Senior, her closest competitor, garnered 28.6% in this category. Here, DelPriore received 7.1%, with Hoch getting no responses of strongly agree.

Lazarus received a similar percentage of “strongly agree” responses regarding her capability to translate the public’s vision for the community to reality with 61.5%. Senior followed with 23.1%, and DelPriore received 15.4. Hoch received no responses in this category.

Regarding communication skills and approachability, the percentages among the top three contenders were much closer. Lazarus received 37.5%, while DelPriore earned 31.3%. Senior, a former journalist and current attorney, achieved 25%. Hoch trailed the field with only 6.3%.

On the individual responses to the above areas, Lazarus received the highest number of “strongly agree” responses. The five categories ranged from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Lazarus received no scores of disagreement or strong disagreement.

Ten respondents rated Lazarus as having the qualifications necessary to succeed as town manager. One person agreed while two were neutral. She received similar rankings on the financial and project management questions, with nine people strongly agreeing, two agreeing and two neutral.

Her communication skill ranking was slightly lower. Six people strongly agreed that Lazarus has this skill, and four people agreed. Two respondents were neutral. Regarding her ability to execute the public’s vision for Hopkinton, Lazarus received eight strongly agree responses, followed by three agreeing and two neutral.

Responses to these areas for Senior showed that survey participants had confidence in his abilities. Six people agreed that Senior could succeed as town manager, and another four strongly agreed. Two respondents were neutral, while one disagreed.

There was nearly equal distribution for Senior’s scores for budget and personnel management, with four strongly agreeing, three agreeing and three neutral.

Senior excelled in communications skills, with four strongly agreeing and agreeing, respectively. Two responses were neutral, while one person disagreed and another strongly disagreed.

For instituting the public’s vision, Senior got good responses. Six people agreed that he could accomplish this, and three strongly agreed. Three answers were neutral, while one respondent disagreed.

DelPriore’s highest scores came in communication. He received scores of five, three and four, respectively. People were less confident in his ability to bring the residents’ vision for Hopkinton to reality. Half of the 12 respondents were neutral, while two strongly agreed, three agreed and one disagreed.

Eight people were neutral about DelPriore’s financial and personnel management skills. One strongly agreed, one disagreed and two agreed.

Hoch’s highest scores showed that half the respondents agreed that he could succeed as town manager and had the necessary financial management and personnel management skills, likely because of his previous experience as a town manager.

But Hoch received five disagree responses as to his ability to translate the residents’ vision for the town, showing a feeling of disconnection. Two were neutral, and four people agreed that he could do this. His communication ratings appeared moderate, with five people agreeing and three each having neutral or negative opinions.

Written comments provide deeper insight into each candidate’s assets

Respondents were able to give personal reflections about each candidate in a written comment section.

Lazarus was praised for her job performance and knowledge of Hopkinton. A couple of people mentioned her more reserved but personable style.

One responded summarized what several respondents said with this comment: “Elaine has the skills, background, local knowledge and relationships necessary to immediately succeed in the role. We already know she can do the job well.”

Several people commented that Senior would be their second choice. They stressed his communications skills, knowledge of town government structure and desire to make information more accessible to the public.

Noted one respondent: “He had a depth of knowledge and experience to relate to any given topic.”

People thought that DelPriore would be an asset because, as a town assistant director of public works, he understood Hopkinton’s challenges with connecting to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority system and has a background in engineering. Several respondents remarked that DelPriore was the only candidate who lacked previous town management experience. He was praised for his enthusiasm and leadership.

Stated one respondent: “Lance is a bright young man working in a larger community and has good experience.”

Hoch, a Hopkinton resident, failed to connect with survey participants. Two people mentioned his resignation from a previous town manager position during a police department scandal as a negative factor.

“When I learned that Jason lives in town, I was disappointed with his responses,” one person wrote. “I would expect him to be better versed in his knowledge of town issues.”