New Bedford's chief financial officer could soon be exiting the Whaling City for a new job in a Worcester suburb if he prevails in a three-way contest to become the next town administrator in the community of Grafton.

Ari J. Sky has been chosen as one of three finalists for the Grafton town administrator position, and was selected from an initial pool of 33 applicants, according to the local Grafton News. Sky, who holds a bachelor's degree in politics and history from Brandeis University and a Master of Public Administration from The American University, has served as New Bedford's CFO since 2013.

The other finalists for the Grafton job are Monson Town Administrator Evan P. Bressard and Blandford Town Administrator Joshua A. Garcia. The finalists were chosen by a local screening committee with help from consultants Community Paradigm Associates. The town's select board is expected to schedule interviews with the three finalists in early January. The finalists were announced on Dec. 29.

Sky has not announced any departure from New Bedford, said Jonathan Carvalho, spokesman for the office of New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell.

In New Bedford, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer provides direct supervision for the auditor's office, the treasurer/collector, purchasing, assessing, and management information systems. The CFO oversees enterprise management and provides strategic direction for the development of the city budget. In his role, Sky oversees revenue collection and tracking, financial reporting, internal and external auditing, financial statements, debt financing, long-range financial planning, capital planning, economic forecasting, management analysis, investment management, and performance measurement while providing sound advice to the mayor's office, according to the city's website.

The town of Grafton has been without an administrator since July 31 when Timothy McInerny resigned after 12 years amid tensions with some select board members, the Grafton News reports.

Grafton is a community in Worcester County with a population of less than 15,000.

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