WARWICK — With Highway Superintendent Larry Delaney announcing his plans to resign, town officials are considering the next steps in the process of recruiting his replacement.

Though a final date for Delaney’s departure is still to be determined, the job has already been posted, according to town officials. Selectboard Chair Alan Genovese said a preliminary screening committee will be the first to review applicants before forwarding them to the Highway Commission, where the public process will begin.

“We’ve got to find the right candidates for this and they have to be able to understand a small town,” Highway Commission Chair Kevin Alden said at a recent joint meeting with the Selectboard.

Genovese said in an interview that the Highway Commission is working on revising the job description. Aspects such as salary will be negotiated based on experience.

“We’re looking for someone who is able to … take care of things in a timely manner but is also able to do so using town resources judiciously,” Genovese said, noting the responsibilities in a town like Warwick differ from those in a larger community.

In Warwick, the primary concern is roads. The department also won’t have other responsibilities, such as overseeing a cemetery commission, that other highway departments may have.

The hope is to have someone in place as soon as possible, Genovese said, given the winter months ahead.

“We’re entering into potentially hazardous road conditions,” he said, “and we’d like to have someone ... either permanently or [on a probationary basis].”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.