Date of Meeting: Friday, January 27, 2012
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:16 AM
Members Present: Chairman Kenneth Sydow, Members Roger Deal and James Wood
Others Present: Lori Esposito Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen; Also present: Dick Prince and Mike Healy
Ken Sydow called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.
Goals/Direction for TA Search Committee: Ken Sydow met with Dick Prince earlier in the week; both decided it was a good idea to have Mr. Healy present, just to have the information, since Dick will be away for three weeks beginning next week.
- Currently, four of the seven committee members have been sworn in.
- Town Counsel will review the open meeting laws, etc. with the committee before they meet. He will let them know when Executive Session is acceptable, etc.
- Need to identify the Town’s current needs to define what’s required of candidates.
- Compile names, contact information and distribute it to all committee members.
- PILOT money needs to be looked at.
- Personnel Board Employee Handbook was never completed; needs to be implemented. In the future, we are looking into changing by-laws to update the Personnel Board and perhaps bring it closer to the way it currently functions.
Ken feels it’s important to hire the most competent TA we can find. Continued commercial development is important, along with financial planning and ensuring all parcels are properly on the tax rolls.
Roger said he was confused about detailing specific tasks required. Background information of candidates is what is important. The job of the Town Administrator Search Committee is to recruit, not assign tasks.
- Dick Prince asked if the position description had been reviewed. Roger said it had. Has it been reviewed with any Town supervisors, department heads? Roger said it had been reviewed by our Town Counsel’s labor department; edits had been recently made and accepted by the Board. Roger said we could put a packet together that includes a position description.
- Jim said the bottom line is that the Committee is responsible for finding someone who can squeeze our bottom dollar. A motivator – someone who can involve Town employees and Townspeople. Also an innovator – someone with good ideas and new directions of the role.
- Dick said they need clarification of how the TA works with the Board of Selectmen. Roger said some Townspeople believe we shouldn’t even have a TA; we can’t satisfy everyone. We need to make decisions based on our best judgment.
- Mike Healy said that everything the Board expects of a TA should be part of the package to distribute to applicants before considering them for a first screening. Then the applicants can address concerns during the interview.
- Roger said the timing of the recruitment process is imperative to move as quickly as possible. Whatever the Board of Selectmen can do to help, let them know. Mike asked that the Selectmen give the Committee an expected deadline. It might not be possible to meet the deadline but a goal should be in place. On what date does the Board want names submitted to them (three finalists). Ken asked if six to eight weeks is too aggressive; if not, what is reasonable? Dick said the time frame might depend on how many applications are received and how long it takes to screen them down to a reasonable number. April 1st might be achievable, at least to start. The Board agreed on a deadline of April 1st.
- Mike asked where they were advertising. Ken said in The Beacon, T&G and online MMA. Mike said reaching out to law firms might be helpful; they often know of candidates looking for a position. Ken agreed, stating that in the past we went to several attorney groups, which led to great leads. We have an estimated salary range of $75-$100K based on a salary survey completed by Town Counsel. We will not put that in an ad but “commensurate with experience.”; if the Committee finds the range is out of line, let the Board know. There are towns our size that pay much more money; others pay less. Dick Prince said most incumbents already are at the maximum salary range in their town.
Roger said to Ken that perhaps the Board should define the salary range further to direct the committee. Ken said salary negotiations will be though the Board regardless. Town Counsel’s survey numbers include benefits; a car or mileage reimbursement is also routine.
Mike asked why not put the salary range in the ad? Ken said that, if it is too low, it might exempt a good candidate; or bring in more that are not qualified, who are looking for the upper limit.
Jim asked what if only two people apply who make $50K/yr and would be happy with $60K to do a great job. If we put $75K to start in the ad, we are already committing to a higher range.
Mike Healy said he believes in being open and up front with salary, otherwise some qualified applicants might not consider applying. The final negotiation range will depend on the applicant and his/her experience. Dick Prince also pointed out that in today’s market there might be very qualified people who are unemployed and willing to take a lesser salary.
Ken said we don’t want the range to be so wide that everyone, even those not qualified, will apply.
A range of $60K - $95K was agreed upon.
At 10:16 AM Roger Deal made a motion, seconded by Jim Wood and voted all in favor, to adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant
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