Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2004
Present: Catherine Kuchinski, Mark Gallivan, Robert Forte and Jesse McSweeney. (Peter Jones absent) Also present was Acting Executive Secretary Meredith Marini.
7:30 p.m. Vice Chairman Forte called the meeting to order and read the announcements and upcoming meeting schedule. Vice Chairman Forte announced that a meeting with safety personnel will be held at the Plymouth County Hospital on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.
Executive Secretary Interviews:
Michael McCue of Mansfield was interviewed by the Board for the Executive Secretary’s position. Mr. Gallivan reviewed the interview process. Each Selectmen would ask a few questions of the candidate.
Gallivan - What do you see as your roll as Executive Secretary – Mr. McCue views the position of Executive Secretary as subservient to the Selectmen. The Executive Secretary will carry out the policies set by the Board. What to you consider as the standard for an Executive Secretary – Mr. McCue indicated that the standards for the executive secretary should be set out in goals and objectives and the individual would be measured based on the results.
Kuchinski – How would you handle conflict between subordinates, peers and Board members? Mr. McCue indicated that conflicts between subordinates would be handled by meeting with the parties. He would listen to all sides. If needed, reassignment would take place. He would deal with conflicts with peers in a low-key manner and possibly bring in a third party. If there were conflict between board members he would provide both members with all the information and would mediate the matter if necessary. He indicated he has training on personnel matters at Bridgewater State College and continues training through his current employer.
Forte – Explain your experience in Collective Bargaining. Mr. McCue indicated that he has limited participation in collective bargaining. The Town Manager handled the contract negotiations. How can you insure that departments are doing theirs job. – Mr. McCue would meet with the departments on a regular basis. He would also invite public input and have an open door policy.
McSweeney – Explain a situation in which there was opposition to a project or plan and how you dealt with it. Mr. McCue explained his support of level tax and the opposition he received. After consensus building he won support from the residents. How would you notify the Board of activities between meetings? Mr. McCue indicated that would utilize e-mail or whatever means the Board would prefer.
Kuchinski – Explain Teamwork concept and how do you work with non-players. He would take everyone’s opinion into consideration. He is a consensus builder. With respect to non-players, he would take the person aside and try to persuade them. However, majority rules. If someone was problematic, he would seek to remove the party. How would you handle an emergency in the event you cannot reach any Board members? Mr. McCue indicated he would find the most appropriate way to handle the situation and then notify the Board of his action.
McSweeney – How would you deal with the Finance Committee? He values the role of the Finance Committee and a well, qualified town accountant. He would seek the Finance Committees’ recommendations. How would you deal with conflict between Executive Secretary and your position on the Mansfield Board of Selectmen? He did not see any conflict as he will not seek re-election as Chairman of the Board if is get the job.
Kuchinski – Please explain your regional concept. – Mr. McCue believes his exposure with other selectmen around the State is very effective and has provided him with several contacts on various issues. He explained his regional project with the Town of Norton.
McSweeney – What do you know about Hanson? – Mr. McCue’s parents live in town on Woodman Terrace. He travels to Town regularly. He grew up in Weymouth and also lived in Norwell. He is very familiar to the area.
Gallivan - Why would you be a good fit for the job? Mr. McCue feels he could grow with the job and assist the Town in upgrading the position to Town Administrator. He feels he has a valuable combination of experience and education. He also has support from the MMA and contracts on the State level.
The Board thanked Mr. McCue for his time.
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8:20 p.m. Michael Finglas – Mr. Gallivan welcomed Mr. Finglas and explained the interview process.
Gallivan - What do you see as your roll as Executive Secretary . Mr. Finglas informed the Board that he has 20 years of experience as a Town Administrator in Swansea. His job is to represent the Board on a 24/7 basis. He explained the position with an analysis of a football team. What to you consider as the standard for an Executive Secretary – Mr. Finglas feels the standards for a good executive secretary are leadership, honesty and integrity. He would provide the Board with options on all matters and would hold weekly department meetings.
Kuchinski – How would you handle conflict between subordinates, peers and Board members? Mr. Finglas explained his experience with dealing with negotiations. He would meet with the individuals in all cases and work through the problems to come to an amicable solution.
Forte – Explain your experience in Collective Bargaining. Mr. Finglas indicated that he was the chief contract negotiator for the Town of Swansea. He feels it is important the both side leave the negotiation table feeling that they won. He handled the grievances for all the unions, noting that the Police and Fire had the most and the clerical had the least. How can you insure that departments are doing theirs job. He will study the departmental budgets and follow any deficits. He pointed out that he does not micromanage. He feels the more he knows about the each department the more the Board will know.
McSweeney – Explain a situation in which there was opposition to a project or plan and how you dealt with it. Mr. Finglas used the example of the construction of a dog shelter, which was going to cost $250,000, but the Town only appropriated $40,000, and the Board was opposed to the construction. He got volunteers to work and donations of labor and supplies of approximately $68,000. He called in favors from various contractors to help on the project. How would you notify the Board of activities between meetings? Mr. Finglas indicated that he would call and stay in contact with all the members of the Board and provide them with all the necessary information.
Kuchinski – Explain Teamwork concept and how do you work with non-players. He would have regular staff meetings, which would be closed to the press and no selectmen invited. With respect to non-players, he would encourage them to work as a team. How would you handle an emergency in the event you cannot reach any Board members? Mr. Finglas indicated that a true emergency should be handled by Civil Defense. Otherwise, he would follow protocol. He likes plans spelled out .
McSweeney – How would you deal with the Finance Committee? He fells the Finance Committee is very important. Recommends regular meetings to review the budget.
Gallivan – How do you handle the Budget process – Mr. Finglas indicated that he was responsible for putting together the budget for all the departments. He would get all the departments’ budget information by October in order to preplan the budget.
McSweeney – Inquired about “Calling in favor”? – Mr. Finglas indicated that the donations received for the dog shelter were for the benefit of the Town. He always keeps the best interest of the Town in mind.
Forte – How will you communicate – Mr. Finglas indicated that he has honed his computer skills and can communicate with the Board through e-mail.
In his closing statements Mr. Finglas indicated that he would be willing to move to Town if he got the position. He feels his years of experience would be beneficial to the Town. He has been through difficult fiscal time. He has handled matters from affirmative action to parking clerk.
Executive Session – Mr. Gallivan requested the Board go into Executive Session under item #3 to discuss contract strategies with non-union personnel.
MOTION by Gallivan to go into Executive Session under Item #3 – contract negotiations with non-union personnel. Roll Call – Kuchinski aye, Gallivan aye, Forte aye, McSweeney aye. Voted 4 – 0.
9:02 p.m. Brief Recess.
10:33 p.m. Return to Open Session – The Board announced that one vote was taken but would not be released until the candidates were notified.
MOTION by Forte, second by Gallivan to adjourn. Voted 5 – 0.
10:35 p.m. Meeting adjourned.
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