NEWTON FALLS — Following an executive session Monday, village council decided to negotiate an agreement with former village clerk Kathy King to serve as interim village manager as they continue their search for a new village manager.

Councilwoman-at-Large Julie Stimpert said council will officially act on that decision at the April 15 council meeting and will have legislation prepared to name King officially as interim manager.

Stimpert said King, who is retired, knows the village well, having served as clerk for the administration, several councils, and worked for several mayors and village managers over the years.

Stimpert described King as very knowledgeable about Newton Falls village day-to-day operations and as “the glue that kept the community together” during her many years of service.

Currently, Jamie Vernaccini is serving as village manager, with her last day of service on April 22.

Stimpert said Vernaccini’s last council meeting will be April 15.

Stimpert said the village has received nearly 50 applicants for the village manager position, but after they were reviewed, with some not meeting qualifications, the list will be narrowed down to seven or eight.

She said having King in place as village manager will allow council time to look over the finalists and schedule interviews.

Vernaccini was hired last September as village manager after having served as interim manager for four to five months prior. She had also served as village finance director for almost two years.

She decided last month to step down as village manager.