With town and school deliberative sessions approaching and departmental budgets on town officials’ minds, Weare now has one more item to add to its grocery list: finding a new town administrator.

According to Weare selectmen Chairman Tom Clow, Town Administrator Fred Ventresco’s last day was Jan. 16.

“We mutually agreed upon separation with Fred,” said Clow. “It wasn’t due to any wrongdoing on his part.”

In the absence of a town administrator, selectmen have temporarily divvied up his duties, with Clow being the primary contact for the town.

As town administrator, Ventresco was earning $71,000 each year. As the search for a replacement has just begun, there has not yet been a discussion on how much a new town administrator would be offered.

Selectmen plan to begin the search for a new town administrator as soon as possible and will enlist the help of PRIMEX, the town’s insurer, to aid with the job description and advertising.

“We want the Board of Selectmen to be directly involved with the whole process,” said Clow, adding the board will soon discuss who exactly will be involved in the search process.

Ventresco was Weare’s town administrator for two years and seven months. His three-year term would have been up in June.

“It’s not really anything out of the ordinary,” said Ventresco. “As you know, there is a high turnover in this profession.” Ventresco said he has a few job prospects on the table. He has, however, decided to take his time between jobs to finish up his master’s thesis in public administration.

“It’s been put off for a long time, and I’m trying to get it done while I can,” said Ventresco. At the next selectmen meeting on Monday, Feb. 2, at 7 p.m., a representive from PRIMEX has been invited to take part in a public discussion.