MINUTES OF MEETING

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

JUNE 2, 2009

Present: Joseph P. Norton, Chairman; John F. Danehey, Shawn Harris,
Richard W. Murray, Anthony V. Vegnani

Press: Scituate Mariner

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA

Mr. Vegnani made a MOTION that the Board of Selectmen VOTE to ACCEPT the AMENDED Agenda for June 2, 2009. SECONDED by Mr. Harris. No discussion. Unanimous vote. (5-0)

3. INTERVIEWS/ TOWN ADMINISTRATOR

Mr. Norton explained that the Board of Selectmen would be interviewing four (4) finalist candidates for the position of Town Administrator. These will be public, half hour interviews.

Patricia Vinchesi – Ms. Vinchesi stated that she has been a public servant for twenty-three years. She spoke about her job experience serving three times as a town administrator in other towns and her most recent job as Deputy Executive Director of the Springfield Finance Control Board.
Mr. Norton asked about Ms. Vinchesi’s commute to Scituate from her home in Conway, Massachusetts. Ms. Vinchesi stated that if she gets the job, she would not commute from Conway every day. She would plan to relocate and rent in the area until her daughter, who is a junior in High School, graduates and then she and her husband plan to move to this area. She has another daughter who is in college. She further noted that she has family in the area that she could stay with initially. Ms. Vinchesi noted that she was very impressed with the current Town Administrator’s longevity in Scituate. She further stated that she was a recent finalist for the position of Town Administrator in Hopkington. She only made application to the towns of Hopkington and Scituate. As far as other employment opportunities, her tenure as Deputy Executive Director of the Springfield Finance Control Board is due to end on June 30, 2009. She has been offered a position to stay on there until a permanent person is hired. Mr. Danehey spoke about value of committing to a position. Ms. Vinchesi referenced her work history as testimony of her sense of commitment. Mr. Danehey asked about local emergency training. Ms. Vinchesi stated that she was NIMS trained after 9/11. Mr. Danehey asked about her experience with capital construction projects, interaction with department heads and management style. Discussion continued on keeping up staff morale during difficult economic times. Mr. Vegnani asked for Ms. Vinchesi’s thoughts on financial controls for the Town. Ms. Vinchesi believe Scituate is well prepared in terms of the Capital Planning and Financial Forecast Committees. She believes that Scituate planned ahead and is doing well in terms of personnel cuts. Mr. Murray asked Ms. Vinchesi what part of the job she had not enjoyed during her tenure as Town Administrator of three communities? Ms. Vinchesi finds composing Town Meeting articles relatively easy. Having to then change the wording is not a favorite chore. Ms. Vinchesi also spoke a “skill set” for Town employees and “customer service” skills.

Mr. Norton asked about a salary range that would be acceptable to Ms. Vinchesi. She said she would be very willing to discuss salary at a future time, if the position were offered to her.

Mr. Norton stated that it is the Board’s intention to fill this position by mid July 2009 and he asked that each of the candidates submit four to five references to the Selectmen’s office.

Andrew Maylor - Mr. Maylor stated that he was very interested in the Town Administrator’s position because of an excellent Town Charter, the stability of the community and the longevity of the current Town Administrator. Mr. Norton noted that the commute from Mr. Maylor’s home in Lynnfield to Scituate might be a bit long. Mr. Maylor responded that the job of a Town Administrator is not a “9 to 5” job. He feels very comfortable that he can make the commute in approximately 55 minutes and knows that if there is a snowstorm or some type of emergency, he will stay over in Scituate. Mr. Maylor stated that he became the Town of Swampscott’s first Town Administrator seven years ago. The Town only created a Charter nine years ago. He further spoke about the relationships, partnerships and communications within Swampscott’s town government. Mr. Maylor was responsible for overseeing a single telephone system for the municipal offices, as well. Mr. Danehey asked about Mr. Maylor’s experience with the local emergency planning committee in his community? Mr. Maylor spoke of his experience in various communities. Mr. Danehey asked Mr. Maylor about his experience with public buildings built in his community. Mr. Maylor spoke of his involvement with the Swampscott High School, Senior Center and Town Hall building projects.

Mr. Maylor spoke about his management style and the importance of meeting with staff on a regular basis. Mr. Danehey asked how Mr. Maylor handles public morale during these difficult economic times? Mr. Maylor acknowledged that this is just about the most difficult time he has ever seen in terms of employee morale. He continues to try to keep in constant contact with his employees. He further discussed his interest and commitment to the Town Administrator’s position in Scituate. “This is not an interim stop for me.” Discussion continued on financial matters concerning the State and its municipalities.

Rene Read – Mr. Read stated that he lives in Duxbury and that his wife was originally from Scituate. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and has been in assistant town manager positions for the past seven years in three different towns. He has worked for the last fifteen years in town government. Mr. Norton asked Mr. Read why he was ready to take on the position of Town Administrator? Mr. Read stated that in his job capacity as an assistant, he has been called upon, especially when the town manager is absent, to make key decisions. He feels he has handled the managerial role well and has leant positive energy to his workplace every day. His experience in various town departments over the years has given him the experience of “working from the bottom up”. Mr. Harris asked why Mr. Read had not applied for the position of Town Manager in Harwich when he had served as the Acting Town Manager of the town? Mr. Read stated that he had applied for the position in Mashpee prior to the Harwich position becoming available. At the time, he felt that Mashpee was a better opportunity in terms of gaining experience in municipal finance and would be less of a commute.

Mr. Danehey noted everyone’s concern with the current economy. Mr. Read stated that he had experienced these times in Harwich and more currently in Mashpee. Mr. Danehey asked how Mr. Read would deal with employee morale during these times? Mr. Read believes

in the “ownership concept” in terms of a furlough plan and bringing employees “to the table” early so they have a vested interest in what goes on. Mr. Danehey asked Mr. Read about his experience with municipal, capital projects. Mr. Ready stated that he has been involved in Mashpee’s library, which is currently under construction. Mr. Danehey asked Mr. Read about his experience in emergency planning? Mr. Read stated that he is NIMS certified and “up to speed” in terms of hurricane preparedness, pandemic flu, etc. Mr. Murray asked Mr. Read about certain aspects of his position that he does not enjoy? Mr. Read answered that department head evaluations are not a favorite. Mr. Murray asked if Mr. Read “sits down” with his department heads? Mr. Read stated that he has an “open door” policy and a running conversation with all department heads. “I do not like surprises and never want my Board of Selectmen to be surprised.” Mr. Vegnani noted that Scituate does not have an Assistant Town Administrator position, so there will not be a person in that position to help out. Are there any processes that you would like to see in Scituate going forward? Mr. Read stated that he was glad to see that there is an active Financial Forecast Committee. He likes to keep Selectmen informed via e-mail or a written report and believes in an “open flow of communication”. He enjoys getting “out in the field” with the various departments and specifically mentioned the Harbormaster’s office and Senior Center. He finds that weekly department head meetings are valuable in terms of knowing what each department is working on without taking a “micro managing” approach.

Mark Stankiewicz – Mr. Stankeiwicz stated that he was interested in the position because Scituate has a good reputation, stability, is a beautiful town and political stability. All of these attributes made applying for the position very attractive. Mr. Murray noted the status of the State’s difficult economic times. Mr. Stankiewicz believes municipalities have experienced difficult economic times for the past two to three years. He has looked into the State’s health insurance in an effort to save costs and has examined other avenues such as and utilities (in terms of a regional consortium). Mr. Vegnani asked what the Town of Stoughton’s reaction would be if he left? Mr. Stankiewicz believes most would be sad to see him go, but some would be happy. Mr. Vegnani asked Mr. Stankiewicz if his community had pursued any “green” initiatives over the years? Mr. Stankiewicz noted Stoughton’s 250 acres of conservation land and solar energy alternatives for the schools. Mr. Vegnani asked what experiences Mr. Stankiewicz would take from past jobs that he would bring to this job? Mr. Stankiewicz answered “communication, transparency when making decisions and most importantly, not to put the Town at risk”. He values a good, professional staff, a good town counsel and directly addressing labor issues. He holds staff meetings once every two weeks. Mr. Norton asked what his most difficult decision had been in Stoughton? Mr. Stankiewicz stated that the decision had to do with police corruption in his town. It was particularly difficult because some of the individuals involved had been born and raised in Stoughton. Mr. Danehey asked Mr. Stankiewicz how he dealt with employee morale during that time? Mr. Stankiewicz stated that he kept communications “going forward”. It was noted that Stoughton has never had an override. “We have watched our nickels and dimes.”

Mr. Danehey asked about his experience with municipal, capital projects? Mr. Stankiewicz was involved with a senior center in Norwich, Connecticut. In Webster, Massachusetts he was involved with the building of a new fire station, renovations to town hall and water/sewer projects. In Stoughton, he has been involved with a public works facility, fire and police station and a NWRA project. Mr. Danehey asked Mr. Stankiewicz about his experience with local, emergency planning? Mr. Stankiewicz counts on his town hall staff and further noted the E. coli outbreak in Stoughton at which time the National Guard was called in. Mr. Harris asked what Mr. Stankiewicz could say in favor of his candidacy? Mr. Stankiewicz stated that his commute
from Stoughton would be thirty-five minutes, his only son is in high school, he is not a “job hopper” and sees this position as a place to finish out his career. “I am the right age and will be around for a while.” Mr. Murray asked Mr. Stankiewicz what he would hope to develop in his first five years in Scituate, if he were offered the position? Mr. Stankiewicz stated that he would like to obtain more expertise in emergency preparedness and to improve overall relationships with State legislators.

Mr. Harris asked Mr. Stankiewicz if he had any questions for the Board? Mr. Stankiewicz asked what the Board would want to see happen during the first six months of a new Town Administrator’s tenure to insure that they had made the “right choice”? Mr. Norton believes it would be a good thing if the new Town Administrator was happy in their new position, had good communication with department heads and the residents and to be supportive of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Danehey noted that the Board is not looking for any dramatic changes to the current operation of the Town.

That concluded the interviews for the Town Administrator. Mr. Norton stated that the Board would discuss and come to a final decision at the Selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2009.

4. ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Danehey made a MOTION that the Board of Selectmen VOTE to ADJOURN the meeting at 8:22 PM. SECONDED by Mr. Harris. No discussion. Unanimous vote. (5-0)

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Joseph P. Norton, Chairman

John F. Danehey

Shawn Harris

Richard W. Murray

Anthony V. Vegnani

Respectfully submitted,

Kimberley A. Donovan
Administrative Assistant