Date of Meeting: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 2:10 PM – 4:07 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Town Administrator candidate Nancy Colbert; Joe Connelly, Interim Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; others as noted on sign-in sheet.
Follow up of today’s meetings between Nancy Colbert and department heads and boards.
Dick Prince (Personnel Board)
- Personnel records were somewhat organized about five years ago.
- The personnel manual had been reworked and left with Sue Olsen and Attorney Angelini; they currently do not have it finalized.
- Our records need to be “buttoned up” to be in compliance; concerned about liability.
- He would like the Personnel Board to be more involved than they have been in the past few years; such as employee evaluations, pay grades insurance, etc.
- They are using a somewhat outdated grading package.
- Ms. Colbert said the town she’s in now also had an audit that resulted in needs for improvement. Her town has a manual, but it has not been adopted by all unions in town. She agrees that personnel records and a manual should be a priority. She gave Mr. Prince a briefing of her background.
School/Town Budgeting Process
- Ms. Colbert asked about this process, based on what she’s read in recent months
- Joe Connelly: when the FY’10 budget process starts next month, we are beginning in the negative at about $200K.
- Ken said a Revenue Study Group would be important to see where the money goes and to understand what’s been cut, etc.
- Roger noted the Town’s tax revenue is 97% residential.
- Nancy said she’s been involved in studies and there’s no “perfect” number/percentage balance; it depends on the community.
- Ken: brief discussion regarding potential with capital planning.
Recycling
In response to Nancy’s inquiry about recycling, Jim said that several years ago the Town voted an override $300K+) for trash collection that passed. Then the Board of Selectmen (all different at the time) changed the use of the money and the residents had to, and still do, contract with their own vendor.
Grant Writing
Roger inquired whether Nancy has any grant-writing experience. Nancy said Planning Departments typically are central to grant writing and administration in several towns she was in. She had some past experience with
- Senior Center
- Domestic Violence
- Police COPS Grant
- Fire Department equipment
- DCD
- Flooding Study (MEMA)
- Historic Preservation
Joe Connelly asked Nancy for her initial observations following today’s meetings. Nancy: People are on the same page – well-intentioned and hard-working. Communication between departments was brought up; it could be improved.
(3:05 PM Lori left the meeting.)
Jim: How do you view working for a board of three versus a mayor?
Nancy: Not much different from the councils under the mayor. The important thing is that the Board has one vision. She will need a clear direction and vision to perform well.
Jim: One thing we are looking for is to step beyond those who can only “execute" We want someone who is pro-active and can provide options for the Board.
Nancy: That’s my style. I am accustomed to working that way.
Roger: We need to identify priorities and hit the important issues, keeping the Board aware.
3:15 Completed session with Nancy. Board to discuss and respond through Jutton.
Joe Connelly: He talked with Jeff Nutting regarding salaries for Administrators; provided information to the Board. Joe’s impression of today’s interview was positive. He will be asking each person involved for feedback to the Board.
Ken presented information to the Board from Don Jutton. The Board is in agreement to move forward to the next level with the candidate and ask Jutton to provide background and a contract review with suggestions and ask that he meet with the Board for a presentation and discussion.
The Board will pursue a joint meeting with Jutton and Town Counsel to review potential contract points and the next steps.
Meeting adjourned at 4:07 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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