Mill building razing nears

Thursday, December 10, 2009
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - All that stands between the dilapidated former Texon building along the Connecticut River in the Falls section

and demolition is a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, according to the manager of the Holyoke Gas and Electric Department.

James M. Lavelle said recently he believes the granting of the permit is imminent and hopes to raze the building as soon as possible. The utility holds the building along with land above and below it along the river as part of the property it owns as part of the Holyoke Dam, which is above the Texon structure

Either developing or razing the former brick, mill building is a condition of the Holyoke utility's license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate the dam. The federal government has also stipulated that the Gas and Electric Department must also build a park along the river.

The utility had worked with Holyoke landlord Herbert G. Berezin over the last several years to get the building redeveloped, something on which local officials had pinned their hopes for revitalizing the economically depressed Falls section. Berezin, who had hoped to develop at $10 million retail complex with housing, was never able to get financing for the project.

"It has been very difficult to line up all the financing because of the economic crisis," Berezin said. "It is the right project at the wrong time."

At $552,000, Testa Corp. of Wakefield was the lowest bidder of the five companies competing to do the demolition project, Lavelle said.

Meanwhile, work on the long-awaited Gatehouse Park to the north of the building at the gatehouse to the Holyoke Dam started before Thanksgiving and should be finished by the end of the month, he said.

Mountain View Landscape of Chicopee is doing that project for $235,000.

"All of that area is going to be cleaned up very nicely. It's going to be a big improvement," Lavelle said.

Plans call for an overlook and trail with plantings and benches.

South Hadley town administrator finalist background check goes on

South Hadley town administrator finalist background check goes on
By STEPHEN C. HILL
Staff Writer

Thursday, December 3, 2009

SOUTH HADLEY - More telephone calls and a road trip to investigate the employment history of town administrator finalist Paul Beecher will take place before the Selectboard further considers him for the position.

There are three issues related to Beecher's work in Kansas City, Dover, N.H., and Kingman, Ariz., that have come to the fore, said Selectboard member John Hine. They are a lighting contract in Kansas City, an employment contract in Dover, and a severance package in Kingman.

Hine said he contacted Beecher last week and received his signature on a form to authorizing his previous employers to release information and to contact references. Hine said he has also developed a list of people to contact.

"He was more than willing to allow this to happen and do whatever he can to make it to the next stage," Hine said of Beecher. Beecher will also send a written explanation of the issues to the board, said Hine.

Hine suggested the work be divided up among board members to avoid repeated calls to the contacts, and members agreed. "It saves any one of us a lot of work if we share," said Marilyn Ishler.

Board Chairman Gregory Sheehan said he would drive to Dover Sunday to talk to people about Beecher.

"That's very manageable, and he was there a long time," said Barry Del Castilho, former interim town administrator who is advising the board.

Beecher, 62, was terminated from his job as city manager in Kingman, in 2007, according to the story in the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper. The Kingman City Council found fault with Beecher granting a severance package to the city's economic development director after the council eliminated the position and department's budget.

After a dozen years as city manager in Dover, Beecher resigned in 2004. Beecher said Nov. 21, when interviewed by the Selectboard, that he received an offer from Kingman that was too good to turn down, but, according to a story in the Union Leader of Manchester, N.H., Beecher had come under fire for a 10-year contract he granted to the police chief that called for annual raises of 7 percent, extravagant retirement benefits and up to 34 weeks of paid vacation.

Beecher resigned as assistant city manager of Kansas City in 1991, after he signed a contract for lighting at the Kemper Arena valued at $1 million without telling the City Council, according to newspaper reports.

Beecher is one of three finalists and the only one that at least three board members indicated was worthy of further consideration. Former Adams Town Administrator William Ketcham's personality was not a good fit for the town, most members said, and current interim Town Administrator Jennifer Wolowicz lacked the experience and qualifications, others said.

Wolowicz will remain as interim until a permanent town administrator is selected, Sheehan said.

Property taxes increase slightly

Property taxes increase slightly
Thursday, December 03, 2009
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - Officials have adopted a property tax rate of $13.99 per $1,000 of valuation for fiscal 2010, which started July 1.

The new tax rate is for both residences and businesses and is an increase of $1.43 or 11.4 percent per $1,000 of valuation over last year's tax rate of $12.56 per $1,000.

The new property tax rates will mean that owners of the average single-family home, which is assessed at $232,600, will pay a fiscal 2010 tax bill of $3,254. Last year, the average single-family home was assessed at $253,300 and had a tax bill of $3,181.

The Selectboard and Board of Assessors voted unanimously Tuesday to keep the rates for businesses and residences the same on the advice of the Board of Assessors. In Massachusetts, under tax classification, communities have been allowed since the 1980s to shift some of the homeowners' tax burden onto businesses. However, the town has always elected to keep the rates the same.

Associate Assessor Melissa L. Couture told officials the Board of Assessors voted 2-0 to recommend that action on the grounds that making businesses pay higher taxes would be detrimental to the town's efforts to promote revitalization and economic development in the Falls section. In addition, at the same meeting, the Prudential Boards for Fire Districts 1 and 2 approved rates of $1.75 per $1,000 of valuation for Fire District 1 and $2.53 per $1,000 for Fire District 2. Last fiscal year's tax rates for Fire Districts 1 and 2, respectively were $1.62 and $2.33 per $1,000 of valuation. The two fire districts provide residents with fire protection and water service. Fire District 1 covers the Falls and the sections of town above it, while Fire District 2 provides services to the South Hadley Center and the northern section of town.

The bills for Fire Districts 1 and 2 for fiscal 2010 for the same house will be $407.05 and $588. Last year, those bills were $410 and $590, respectively.

Couture said that Proposition 2 1/2 allows the town to increase its total tax levy by no more than 2.5 percent plus new growth each year and that the 2.5 percent figure does not mean individual tax bills will not increase any more than 2.5 percent.

South Hadley to address concerns on administrator finalist - See below or Click here

By STEPHEN C. HILL
Staff Writer

South Hadley to address concerns on administrator finalist

SOUTH HADLEY - Selectboard members decided Monday to investigate town administrator finalist Paul Beecher's reported problems with previous employers before further considering his candidacy.

The board voted 4-1 to have member John Hine call Beecher and ask for clarification about contracts Beecher reportedly signed while town manager in Dover, N.H., and Kingman, Ariz. Other board members might also inquire of officials in those two communities. The board expects to resume its discussion Dec. 1.

Member Robert Judge voted against the proposal. Judge said the decision should be postponed until January when the Selectboard will have two new members, after the resignations of Carlene Hamlin and Gregory Sheehan take effect.

Beecher, 62, was terminated from his job as city manager in Kingman in 2007, according to the Kingman Daily Miner newspaper. The Kingman City Council found fault with Beecher granting a severance package to the city's economic development director without telling the council, after the council had eliminated the position and department budget, thereby leaving the city open to a lawsuit, the newspaper stated.

After a dozen years as city manager in Dover, Beecher resigned in 2004. Beecher said Friday when interviewed by the Selectboard that he received an offer from Kingman that was too good to turn down but according to a story in the Union Leader of Manchester, N.H., Beecher had come under fire for a 10-year contract he granted to the police chief that called for annual raises of 7 percent, extravagant retirement benefits and up to 34 weeks of paid vacation.

The other two finalists are current interim Town Administrator Jennifer Wolowicz and former Adams Town Administrator William Ketcham.

Sheehan said he thought Ketcham was qualified "but I don't know if he's a good fit," with a rather unassuming style. Wolowicz, Sheehan said, does not have the required qualifications. "My thought is it's not her time," he said.

Beecher's past employment was a concern, said Sheehan, even though his qualifications and personality seem strong. "I'm leaning toward ... possibly starting the (search) process all over," he said.

Member Marilyn Ishler said Ketcham's personality seemed too weak to lead the town, and she also questioned Beecher's background. Wolowicz, Ishler said, "has the hands-on experience. Her degree is coming near. I don't think we should wait for another board."

Hamlin said she thought all three finalists were qualified but made an impassioned plea for Wolowicz. As clerk/treasurer, Hamlin said, she knows of Wolowicz's effectiveness. Other board members should as well, Hamlin said, because they appointed her interim administrator.

"Who's running the ship? Jenn Wolowicz ... It's too bad. You don't have confidence in her but you're going to keep her as your interim," Hamlin said.

Hine said Ketcham is qualified but not a dynamic leader while Wolowicz lacks the experience dealing with budgets. Residents have raised questions about Beecher's past record and he shares the concerns, Hine said. "To me there's a very high risk-high reward with" Beecher, Hine said.

"I find I just can't get enthusiastic and totally confident in any of the three," he said. But he said he would continue to consider Beecher if a satisfactory explanation for the reported issues is received.

Both Ishler and Hamlin said they, too, would continue to consider Beecher.

South Hadley residents come out to honor their vets

by Daily Hampshire Gazette

South Hadley - "Remember all veterans, past, present, and future," urged James Stathis, 75, this year's recipient of South Hadley's veteran of the year award.

Stathis - a former U.S. Army corporal and retired U.S. postal worker - received the award Wednesday during South Hadley's Veterans Day ceremony. Stathis spoke briefly to a large gathering of scouts, students and community members beside the Veterans Monument outside Town Hall.

South Hadley Selectboard member Marilyn Ishler presented the veteran of the year award to Stathis.

"Today we honor all veterans," she said in a short speech. "But we should thank them every day. We would not have the freedom, the rights, the privileges we have without them."

Prior to the ceremony honoring all veterans, students from the South Hadley Middle School band performed in front of a packed Town Hall auditorium. Band director Brooks Holmes led the students through an assortment of songs, including "The Star Spangled Banner," "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "North Ridge Overture." Opus Four, the middle school's chorus led by Patricia Murawski, also performed at the concert.
Resident John O'Connor acted as master of ceremonies for the main event outside Town Hall. He introduced Selectboard member Bob Judge, who read "A Veteran's Poem" by Holly Rulli.

A group of students from Stephanie Holmes' middle school class described a recent trip to Washington, D.C. Students read prepared statements about their trip that included visits to various museums and the Capital Building.

During a visit to the Vietnam Memorial in the nation's capital, the students found eight names of servicemen from South Hadley who lost their lives in Vietnam.

They presented rubbings of these names to Commander Bill Hubbard of the American Legion Post 260 and Commander Anthony Brin of the VFW Post 3104.

From Martha Terry RE November 12 Know Your Town meeting

Dear Bob,

Would you kindly forward this flier to any email lists you have, for example, the Progressive Democrats of South Hadley, the Historical Society, etc?  Thank you for doing this.

Sincerely,

Martha Terry

Know Your Town

Presents

"Comprehending the Comprehensive Plan"

SHAPING OUR FUTURE

A framework for how South Hadley can revitalize its base,

Plan for growth in housing and where to locate it,

Retain our open space and natural treasures,

Cultivate our historical and cultural assets,

Strengthen our schools and municipal facilities

And communicate our community's business

THURSDAY, NOV. 12   7 P.M.

So Hadley High School Library

Come hear, share and participate

Presenters will be members of the

Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee

Town Reminder October 10 2009 - "Town Meeting balances new fiscal budget"

Around South Hadley: Board hears landfill expansion plans

Daily Hampshire Gazette
by Steve Hill  9/29/09

Board hears landfill expansion plans 

The permitting process for a vertical expansion of the town's landfill took a step forward last week when the Board of Health held a site assignment modification hearing.

Interstate Waste Services, with headquarters in Ramsey, N.J., is proposing an expansion on top of the existing landfill, using either an earthen berm or a mechanically stabilized earth berm to support the sides.
With the earth berm, the height of the expansion would be 14 feet and allow two years of additional dumping; the stabilized berm would be 18 feet in height and add 3.3 years of landfill use.

Daniel Murphy, project manager for Stantec, the engineering company hired by the Board of Health to review the company's application, stated in written testimony that a stabilized berm would be the first of its kind in the state and the health board should require additional financial assurance, maintenance and inspections of the berm if it is approved.

Several area residents, mostly from Chicopee, were allowed to address the board, Hart said. They were concerned about the traffic which would result from the proposed truck route, New Ludlow Road, part of which is in Chicopee.

The DEP has ruled the site suitable for a vertical expansion, Hart said, but the board has the last word on the issue.

Interstate is also seeking a 21-acre lateral expansion that could extend the life of the landfill by 13 years. Town Meeting approved a new contract with the company in June that would increase benefits to the town and add about $588,000 a year to its coffers if both expansions are approved.

Mosier renovations sought

As a 40-year-old school, Mosier Elementary School is in need of updating, and the School Building Committee is re-submitting an application to the state School Building Authority for financial assistance.
Superintendent of Schools Gus Sayer said the building is structurally sound but "in a building that age, all the systems are deteriorating.¿ It has to be brought up to date."

The building is of sufficient size if the four portable classrooms at the school that are nearing the end of their useful lives are replaced, he said.

The town has been invited to participate with the building authority in a feasibility study for replacing Plains School, and building committee members expect to meet with state officials in the near future.

Poll workers needed

Town officials are seeking to fill vacancies on several boards and replenish the ranks of election workers in town.

Poll workers supervise the election sites in each town precinct and verify the registration of voters on election day. The workers must be at least 18 years old and registered to vote, and will receive an hourly rate.

There is a particular need for registered Republicans to work the polls, said Town Clerk Carlene Hamlin, because a mix of party affiliations is desired and the majority of workers are now Democrats.

Interested residents should contact Hamlin at 538-5023 or by email to clerktreasurer@southhadley.org.

Boards wishing to fill vacancies include the newly-formed Agricultural Commission, Historical Commission and Planning Board. Three seats on the Agricultural Commission are open, one for the Historical Commission and an associate member's position is available on the Planning Board.

Residents interested in serving may send a letter of interest to the Select Board, 116 Main St., South Hadley, 01075, or email selectboard@southhadley.org.

S. Hadley approves budget changes

A proposed salary study went down to defeat at a special town meeting here.

By Sandra E. Constantine sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - Town Meeting members adjusted various accounts at a special town meeting to balance the current budget in the light of shortfalls and voted down a warrant to fund a $15,000 salary study.

The budget-balancing votes were needed Wednesday because of cuts in state aid, potential revenues lost because of the failure of a local rooms and meals tax to be approved at the Town Meeting earlier this year as well as lower than expected growth in property tax revenues. That generated a shortfall of about $434,000. While warrants concerning the budget passed with little fanfare, the warrant calling for the salary study generated considerable debate.

The study would look at the positions held by about 70 workers at Town Hall and elsewhere in town who have worked in recent years to form a union.

Selectman Robert G. Judge, who has a background in personnel, argued in favor of a study on the grounds that the last one was done in 2001 and one should take place every five years. He said the proposal for a salary study came out of comments at the annual Town Meeting when questions were raised about how to set salaries for newly elected Town Clerk-Treasurer Carlene C. Hamlin and Town Collector Deborah L. Baldini.

Judge noted that officials vote on millions of dollars in salaries each year. A survey would assure Town Meeting members they are approving salaries that are appropriate.

Appropriations Committee member Priscilla A. Mandrachia said she liked the idea of the proposal but would like to see something more comprehensive, such as including all town jobs and job classifications.

Meanwhile, Town Meeting member Michael M. Fisher and former Selectman Raymond E. Rondeau suggested that a more comprehensive survey could be done by working with other communities to do a regional study. Town Meeting members defeated the salary warrant by a voice vote.

Town Meeting members also reduced the School Department budget by about $153,000 to make up for cuts in state aid that will be compensated for later with the receipt of federal stimulus monies. They reduced the School Department unemployment account by $90,000 to its usual level of $50,000. They also cut the Police Department budget by $30,000 by not filling a position.Town Meeting members also approved a warrant calling for establishment of a town meeting electronic communication advisory committee. It will be comprised of five Town Meeting members appointed by the Town Moderator to foster better communication.

"South Hadley TM balances budget"

Daily Hampshire Gazette

Thursday, October 22, 2009
TOWN MEETING ADJUSTS BUDGETS
By STEPHEN C. HILL

SOUTH HADLEY – Town Meeting members passed all but one article before them Wednesday, transferring funds and adjusting accounts to bring the current fiscal year’s budget back into balance.

The lone article generating much debate among the 77 members present, a request to appropriate $15,000 for a salary survey, was the one that failed.

Robert Judge, a member of the Selectboard, said a salary survey was last done in 2001 and it should be done every five years. “This came in part from comments made at Town Meeting in May,” he said, when members questioned the salary proposed for newly elected Town Clerk/Treasurer Carlene Hamlin.

“You authorize each year salaries that amount to millions of dollars,” Judge said. A survey will give members confidence they are voting fair and appropriate salaries for town workers, he said.

Appropriations Committee member Priscilla Sullivan said the idea is a good one but does not go far enough. “We really would like to see something that is much more comprehensive,” she said.

The proposed survey would cover about 70 non-union positions but all town jobs and job classifications should be examined, said Sullivan. The current economic condition, she said, is not conducive to adjusting salaries. “Is this the best way to spend this amount of money at this particular time,” she asked.

Michael Fisher, of Precinct D, said putting off a survey until an uncertain date is a concern. But the survey should be done comprehensively and by joining with other towns to have it done on a regional basis.

The article failed by a majority voice vote.

In other action, the meeting reduced the school budget by $153,306, the same amount cut from state aid for schools in the state budget and replaced by federal stimulus money, reduced the unemployment compensation line item by $95,000 to its typical level of $50,000, cut the police budget by $30,000 and adjusted other budgets to make of for a $434,306 shortfall caused by cuts in state aid, lower new growth revenue and the failure of Town Meeting to pass a local option meals tax

Click "Comments" below to see opinions about my October 20 post titled "On October 21, please vote "YES" on Article 8"

On October 21, please vote "YES" on Article 8

Town Meeting Members
If you want more information to help you make your October 21 Town Meeting decisions, you can find a story, from today's Republican, below.

Please let me comment about the salary survey warrant article.

Assuming that you voted for the major appropriations articles at the May town meeting, you authorized the Town to spend millions of dollars in pay for town employees this year.  Do you know how you are spending those millions?  Are you spending too much on pay for town employees?  Too little?  About right?  Apart from the aggregate millions, are you paying Town employee Mr. X too little?  Too much?  How about Town employee Ms. Y?

In 2002, when the last survey was done, the Personnel Board said that the Town would conduct a salary survey regularly to help to ensure that the pay of town employees was compared to the market.  It is now seven years later and it is time to do such a study again.

I anticipate a state cut to our local aid.  I would be generally opposed now to appropriations of money for new on-going expenses.  However, a pay survey is a one-time expenditure, not an ongoing expense.  We should not allow ourselves to be frozen into thinking that we should reject any new proposed expenditure, even modest, while we assume that money already appropriated is being spent correctly.  I think it is a wise investment to spend $15,000 to see if millions of dollars are being spent correctly.

The Selectboard will take a position on this and the other articles at its meeting tonight at 7 p.m.  I would welcome your comments, whether you agree or disagree.

Thank you for your attention!

- Bob Judge
Phone 413-351-2309


---------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - Residents will head into a Special Town Meeting on Wednesday with 12 articles on tap, including one seeking $15,000 to do a salary study of town jobs that has already generated much debate. It also includes articles seeking to close a $434,000 deficit in the fiscal 2010 budget of about $39 million.

The Special Town Meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in Town Hall Auditorium.

The budget deficit came about mostly because of a reduction in state aid, the town's failure to adopt a local rooms and meals tax and new growth in property taxes being about $100,000 less than projected, town accountant William C. Sutton told officials at the Appropriations Committee public hearing last week on the money articles for the Special Town Meeting.


About $153,00 of the state aid reduction is for education. However, school officials said they expect to make up that amount with federal stimulus money. Officials can close the deficit without significant changes to the budget because of that boost as well as savings of $30,000 due to the retirement of two police officers.

The salary study was put on the 12-article Special Town Meeting warrant by the Selectboard, which has not taken a position on the issue.

Several people at the appropriations meeting questioned the need for the study. Former Selectman Raymond E. Rondeau said it is out of place given the fact that there is a recession with the private sector reducing wages and companies closing.

Instead, Rondeau said, the town should look at reducing positions and freezing wages. "We need restraint and we need to conserve monies," he said.

Town Meeting member Theodore B. Belsky said a salary study would be more appropriate in about three years when the recession could be over.

"What is the likelihood this could end up saving us money?" Appropriations Committee member Ira J. Brezinsky said.

Interim Town Administrator Jennifer L. Wolowicz, who is also the town's personnel officer-chief procurement officer, said a study could show that employees are overpaid.

"Upcoming Meetings" from the Town website, Week of October 19, 2009

Monday, October 19
Meeting- South Hadley Cable TV Negotiating Committee
8:30 AM - Selectboard Meeting Room, Town
Council on Aging
4:00 PM - 45 Dayton Street
Meeting- Michael E Smith Middle School Council
5:00 PM - Michael E Smith Middle School C
Meeting- Board of Health
5:15 PM - Selectboard Meeting Room, Town
Planning Board Meeting
6:30 PM - Town Hall (116 Main Street) - R
Conservation Commission
7:00 PM - Selectboard Meeting Room
Tuesday, October 20
Selectboard Meeting
7:00 PM - Town Hall
Wednesday, October 21
CANCELLED- Meeting- Personnel Board
5:30 PM - Room 1, Town Hall, 116 Main Str
Public Hearing- Board of Health
6:00 PM - Town Hall- 116 Main Street
Meeting- Appropriations Committee
6:00 PM - Selectboard Meeting Room, Town
Meeting- Selectboard
6:00 PM - Selectboard Office, Room 109, T
Public Hearing- 11" DBH Red Cedar & 12" DBH Red Cedar
7:00 PM - At the trees, 178 Woodbridge St
Special Town Meeting
7:00 PM - Town Hall Auditorium
Thursday, October 22
Meeting- Town Administrator Search Committee
2:30 PM - School Department Conference Ro
Meeting- South Hadley Cable TV Negotiating Committee
5:00 PM - Selectboard Office, Room 109, T
Sunday, October 25
Meeting- GRO. South Hadley Committee
7:00 PM - Police Station Community Room,
Monday, October 26
Board of Assessors
10:00 AM - Room 1 Town Hall
Planning Board Meeting
6:30 PM - Town Hall (116 Main Street) - R
Meeting- Library Design Study Committee
7:00 PM - Technical Services Workroom, To

Special Town Meeting - October 21 2009 - Click here

October 13 Appropriation Committee hearing - Click here

From: S. Hadley Community TV [mailto:shctv15@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 10:13 AM
To: Bob Judge
Subject: Re: October 13 Appropriation Committee hearing on CH 15?

Bob,
The video of the appropriations meeting went online last night. I hope you can watch it there. If you have any problems and would like a DVD copy, let me know.

http://www.vimeo.com/7071676

Justin

Contract reached for DPW workers

Friday, October 09, 2009
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - The Selectboard has agreed to a one-year contract with 2 percent wage increases with the union that represents the town's Department of Public Works employees.

The board voted 5-0 Tuesday to sign an agreement with Local 1725 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees retroactive for July 1.

Interim Town Administrator Jennifer L. Wolowicz said officials opted for a one-year agreement rather than a three-year pact in order to get the public works employees on the same cycle as the Police Department. In addition, officials are mindful of the uncertain economic times as well as the tightening of state aid, she said.

Under the new contract, employees in the lowest paid category will start at $584.09 a week with the chance to work up to $701.20 a week after five years. Employees in the highest paid category will start at $725.88 a week with the opportunity to work up to $872.04 a week after five years.

The pact allows for several changes in language in the agreement, including a provision for a 20-minute rest period each day. It also outlines how workers may be absent under the federal family and medical leave laws as well as to serve in the military.

Union officials could not be reached for comment.

"Greening Your Community: Leading By Example" on Thursday, October 29, 8 am - Noon - Click here

Thursday, October 29, 2009, 8:00 a.m. to noon
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035

The Center for Ecological Technology (CET) is pleased to offer our 3rd annual workshop focused on solutions for creating greener communities.   Speakers from resource agencies, organizations and communities in the Pioneer Valley will share case studies, lessons learned, and offer technical assistance, tools and resources that can help you accomplish goals. 

We encourage communities to bring a team of up to 3 people including town administrators/managers/mayors, public works directors, selectmen/city counselors, energy committee members, and concerned citizens.

Attached is an abbreviated agenda and registration form.  To help us plan refreshments and seating, please RSVP by returning the registration form by email or fax as soon as possible.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Peggy MacLeod
Climate Action Circuit Rider
Center for Ecological Technology
peggym@cetonline.org / 413-586-7350 x 226

Public Records Law Workshop on Thursday, October 15 at 11 a.m.

TO:    Department Heads, Boards and Committees
FR:    Laura Krutzler, Administrative Secretary
RE:    Public Records Law Workshop
DA:    September 28, 2009

The Selectboard Office will be hosting a Public Records Law Workshop for town employees and local Board/Committee members on the following date:

•    Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 11 a.m.

The presenter will be Collin McDonald, an attorney with the Public Records Division of Secretary of State Galvin’s office.  The session will be held in the Town Hall auditorium. 

Please note that this session is mandatory for all department heads, and volunteer board/committee members are strongly encouraged to attend.   

Please register for this session by calling the Selectboard office at (413) 538-5017 or e-mailing Laura at selectboard@southhadley.org.  Thank you for your cooperation!

South Hadley Town Meeting set for October 21 - Click here or read below.

Daily Hampshire Gazette, October 8, 2009:

Town Meeting members will assemble Oct. 21, for a special Town Meeting to consider 12 articles, most dealing with the town's budget.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m., in Town Hall.

Voters will be asked to reduce the school budget by $153,306, the same amount cut from state aid for schools in the state budget and replaced by federal stimulus money.

"There will be no affect on the school budget this year," said Superintendent of Schools Gus Sayer.

Another article asks for the police budget to be reduced by $30,000. "It will be absorbed through a reduction in some overtime shifts," said Police Chief David LaBrie. "Coverage and response time will remain basically the same," he said.

Less overtime will be needed this fiscal year because police officers no longer ride in ambulances to hospitals, he said, but some proactive programs, such as child car seat inspections and installations and radar patrols, might be cut back, said LaBrie.

Other actions voters will be asked to take include reducing the unemployment compensation line item by $95,000, spending $30,000 for two state Senate elections scheduled for later this fiscal year, adding $16,400 to the public works budget to cover the cost of negotiated raises, appropriating $15,000 for a wage and salary survey and adding about $11,500 for wage and merit pay increases by transferring funds in other accounts.

The formation of a Town Meeting Electronic Communication Advisory Committee will also be considered. The committee would be in charge of the electronic dissemination information about Town Meeting issues to members.

Lions move spaghetti supper

Daily Hampshire Gazette, October 8, 2009:
The South Hadley Lions Club will continue to host spaghetti suppers to raise money for their charitable activities but the location has changed.

The new location for the first Tuesday of each month events is the Roost, part of the Egg & I restaurant, at 26 Main St.

The meal costs $5 and includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, rolls, ice cream and coffee. Serving time is 4:30 to 6 p.m.

DPW contract signed

Daily Hampshire Gazette, October 8, 2009:

The town and the union representing about 30 Department of Public Works employees have agreed to a one-year contract calling for a 2 percent pay raise.

The raises are retroactive to July 1, said Interim Town Administrator Jennifer Wolowicz. The contract was signed by the Select Board Tuesday.

"It was a very good negotiation," Wolowicz said. "I think (the union) understood the situation with town finances," she said.

South Hadley Farmers' Market Each Thursday thru the End of October - CLICK HERE!

"Administrator job draws 40"

Sunday, October 04, 2009
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - A total of 40 people have submitted their names as candidates to be the new town administrator, according to the administrative secretary to the office of the town administrator.

Laura L. Krutz1er also said that the town received 10 applications for the position Wednesday, the deadline for submitting letters of interest.

The selectmen would like to have a new town administrator in place by Jan. 1 and appointed five residents to the search committee Wednesday. They are: Chrissy M. Archambault, who works in accounting; Ann E. Eaton, of 23 Hillcrest Park; Sarah Etelman of 8 Garden St.; Mount Holyoke College student Erin Wilson; and Robert W. Salthouse, of 20 The Knolls.

The Appropriations Committee has selected Priscilla A. Mandrachia as its representative to the search committee, while the School Committee has chosen school board member JoAnn Jordan to represent it. Town Moderator Edward J. Ryan Jr. is also on the committee for which selectmen hope to add a representative from the town's business community.

Selectmen anticipate the search committee will screen applicants in October to come up with finalists who will be interviewed publicly by them in November. Officials hope to have a new town administrator in place by Jan. 1.

The community has not had a permanent town administrator on the job for any appreciable amount of time since the departure of Patricia A. Vinchesi about two years ago to work for the Springfield Finance Control Board. Retired Amherst Town Manager Barry L. Del Castilho has helped out in the meantime and Personnel Officer/Chief Procurement Officer Jennifer L. Wolowicz is currently filling in. Former Ludlow Town Administrator Michael A. Szlosek held the job for three months in 2008.

In its newspaper advertisement, the town has required that candidates have a bachelor's degree in public administration, planning or business management or a related field, plus five to seven years experience in municipal business or a related field. The advertisement also stated business management experience as a chief administrative officer is strongly preferred. Experience with Massachusetts General Laws, collective bargaining, personnel administration and the town meeting process is also desirable, according to the ad, as well as experience with economic development. No salary range was stated and the salary is to depend on qualifications.

Board pushes new trash plan

By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE

sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - The town's Solid Waste Advisory Committee has recommended the community move to a pay-as-you-throw $2 a bag program for trash disposal to replace the current $39 annual per resident trash collection fee.

Committee members outlined their proposal Wednesday before the Selectboard. Selectmen have taken the matter under advisement pending more education of the public as well as allowing them time to get input from residents as to how they feel about a possible change. They expect to have the committee make a second presentation for the benefit of the public during an upcoming, televised meeting of the Selectboard.

The committee recommended a per bag charge as a way to reduce the amount of trash sent to the town's landfill as well as increase the amount of refuse recycled. The town sells its recyclables to the Materials Recycling Facility in Springfield.


Committee Chairman John J. Higgins II as well as other committee members described the proposal as being more fair than the current system as well as offering residents an economic incentive to recycle more of their rubbish.

Arlene Miller, the committee member who is the state Department of Environmental Protection's municipal assistance coordinator for Western Massachusetts, told selectmen the issue of instituting a pay-as-you-throw system is a political one.

"It takes political courage to adopt pay-as-you-throw," Miller said. "There are always going to be naysayers because it is a change.

"This is kind of like a tax, but hidden as a fee," Selectboard Chairman Gregory R. Sheehan said. However, Sheehan added that he could do a better job of excluding his recyclables from his trash than he is now.

"I think you've done a great job," Selectman Carlene C. Hamlin said. "I'm a huge advocate of pay-as-you-throw."

The system recommended by the committee also would include having bags available all over town, a per household trash fee of $96 a year and a $10 annual fee to use the town's Recycling Center. Based on households generating 1.5 bags of trash a week, the committee figures that the program would break even, not counting revenues from the town's landfill. The landfill has permits to operate until Dec. 31, but officials are working to get permission to extend that, pending development of various expansions.

Department of Public Works Superintendent James M. Reidy said the earliest a new system could be implemented would be July 1, the beginning of fiscal year 2011.

S. Hadley may change town meeting

Thursday, October 01, 2009
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - Publishing an attendance list as well as ways to contact individual Town Meeting members on the community's Web site are just two of the possible changes the Town Meeting Review Committee is mulling to improve the way the town meeting form of government works in the community.

Selectboard member Marilyn G. Ishler, who chairs the review committee, outlined those possible measures and others during an approximately 45-minute public hearing the group held Tuesday night.

The committee was created by Town Meeting in May at the request of some residents who worked successfully to defeat a move to jettison the current form of government of town meeting with a selectboard in favor of having a mayor and a council. A charter commission made that recommendation in the form of a ballot question that was voted down in the municipal election in April. The Town Meeting Review Committee has been mandated to come up with a report by the next town meeting, which will be Oct. 21, when the town holds a Special Town Meeting.


Advocates of a mayoral system had criticized, among other things, that there is little interest among residents in running to become a Town Meeting member with only 19 people on the ballot in April seeking election to 40 of the 120 elected Town Meeting slots.

Ishler said the committee is considering listing either e-mail addresses, home telephone numbers or addresses of Town Meeting members on the town's Web site so people may get in touch with them.

"Hopefully, they will agree to one of those," Ishler said.

Among other possible changes Ishler outlined were reviewing the guide to Town Meeting annually and distributing it, holding orientations for new Town Meeting members, encouraging more town boards to post their meeting minutes on the Internet, putting the dates of Town Meeting and the town election on Town Meeting member nomination papers and including a list of expectations of Town Meeting members on the nomination papers as well.

Town Meeting member Linda W. Young, one of the people fought the proposed change to a mayoral system and who advocated that the committee be formed, said she is pleased with the work it has done.

"Individual committee members have done some hard work between committee meetings," Young said.

Young and Selectman Robert G. Judge were the only ones of the four residents attending the public hearing to speak before the committee.

The committee's work follows that of a similar group that was created about 10 years ago to improve the town meeting format in South Hadley after the defeat of another ballot question seeking to eliminate Town Meeting and have a mayor and a council.

2009 Test Sewer and Snow

TOWN OF SOUTH HADLEY Message sent - 9/30/2009 2009 test sewer and snow This test call of the Town of South Hadley emergency notification system contains information regarding your sewer bill and winter parking ban. The envelope containing your second quarter real estate bill, which you will receive this week, will also contain your sewer bill. The Fiscal 2010 sewer fee was increased from $225.00 per EDU a year to $240.00 per EDU per year. Please contact the Collector's office if you do not receive your bill. The Town will continue to use the odd/even parking ban that included on barking on Route 116, Main Street, Lamb Street, Bardwell Street, and lower North Main Street. Parking bans will be announced on most local TV and radio stations. You will NOT receive notification by telephone. Additional phone numbers or email addresses can be added to the Town's emergency notification system by visiting www.southhadley.org and clicking the Connect-CTY link. This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF SOUTH HADLEY. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF SOUTH HADLEY either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (413) 538-8231. THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS IS NOT MONITORED. Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address. Copyright &copy 2009 Blackboard Connect Inc. This e-mail has been sent from TOWN OF SOUTH HADLEY through the Connect-CTY service. Connect-CTY is a service of Blackboard Connect Inc. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Comments about the Town Meeting review Committee

From: Marilyn Ishler
Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 8:54 PM
To: Bob Judge
Subject: Thanks

Thanks for coming to the hearing tonight.  We will be bringing a motion to the SB for STM on 21st.  Ira is cleaning up the motion from our discussion tonight.  It is to establish a standing committee to oversee electronic communication for TM Members
Marilyn


-----
From: Bob Judge
To: Marilyn Ishler
Cc: Linda L. Young ; 'Robert Judge'
Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 9:41 PM
Subject: RE: Thanks

Marilyn:

You are welcome, but the real thanks are due to you and to the Committee for doing the unglamorous work.

You have your work cut out for you.  I no longer believe that anything can be done that will significantly increase the quantity and quality of participation in town meeting.  You, Linda Young, and others have been beating that drum well for years, but the residents have not responded to you adequately.

I was interested to hear your mention tonight of the Massachusetts town that has only 50 town meeting members, but has I think you said a larger population than S. Hadley.  I think that only a drastic reduction in size of that magnitude in S. Hadley’s Town Meeting will get the attention of residents.  It would tell them that by declining to participate more and better, many of them are going to have to sacrifice the right to vote as a town meeting member.  If that were to later cause a reaction that subsequently justified increasing the size of town meeting, fine.  It would be most cumbersome to decrease the size one year then increase it later, but if that is what it would take to shake things up, so be it.

Still, I hope I’m wrong.  I hope your attempt to reinvigorate Town Meeting works.  Just as I supported the Charter Commission’s recommendation, I look forward to supporting the recommendations of your Committee.

However, I continue to believe, as my letter in the Town Reminder said, that another Charter Commission should be formed, one that I assume would recommend a Town Manager form of government.  There are those of us like you, Linda, and I who I am sure will continue to participate actively in town government with or without a change in our structure.  However, we need significant change of one kind or another to get the attention of other residents to the idea that town government can be changed, and for the better.

-Bob

Conflict-of-interest law changes to take effect

Conflict-of-interest law changes to take effect

via Massachusetts Municipal Association by matthew_feher@mma.org (MMA Senior Legislative Analyst Matthew G. Feher) on 9/21/09

Conflict-of-interest law provisions contained in the recently passed ethics reform act are due to take effect on Sept. 29.

The new provisions include a requirement that all municipal officials participate in training on the conflict-of-interest law (Ch. 268A).

The State Ethics Commission has communicated directly with all cities and towns to provide information regarding the changes and the responsibilities of local governments. [See letter to communities]

A new section (27) of the conflict-of-interest law requires the Ethics Commission to publish a summary of the law on its Web site (www.mass.gov/ethics). Each city and town clerk will be required to provide a copy to all municipal employees "within 30 days of becoming such an employee, and on an annual basis thereafter." Each current municipal employee must sign a written acknowledgement that he or she has been provided with such a summary. All acknowledgements must be filed with the city or town clerk. The Ethics Commission advises municipal clerks to provide summaries to all employees by Dec. 28.

The ethics reform law (Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2009) added a new section to the conflict-of-interest law (now Sect. 28 of Ch. 268A) requiring the Ethics Commission to prepare and publish on its Web site two online training programs: one providing an introduction to the requirements of the conflict-of-interest law, and another providing information on the conflict-of-interest law for former public employees.

All municipal employees will be required to complete online training every two years. For new employees such training must be completed within 30 days of hiring. For current employees, the Ethics Commission suggests that municipal officials complete the online training by Dec. 28, using the program available on its Web site.

The online training program may be conducted at any computer terminal, including at home, and should take no longer than one hour to complete, according to the Ethics Commission.

The MMA has voiced serious concerns regarding the financial implications of this new requirement and has contacted the state auditor's office requesting an analysis and determination as to whether the legislation imposes an unfunded mandate on cities and towns, which is prohibited by state law.

Another new section of the conflict-of-interest law (Sect. 29) requires each city and town to designate a "senior level employee of the municipality" who will serve as its liaison to the Ethics Commission. The liaison is to be named by Jan. 27, 2010.

Other key changes made by the ethics reform law include the following:

• Criminal penalties for bribery have been increased: up to a $100,000 fine, or imprisonment in state prison for up to 10 years or in jail or a house of correction for up to 2½ years, or both.

• Civil penalties for bribery increase from $2,000 to $25,000. Civil penalties for all other ethics violations increase from $2,000 per violation to $10,000 per violation.

• The law specifies that public employees may not present false or fraudulent claims to their employers for any payment or benefit of substantial value.

• A public employee may not fraudulently cause another to solicit or receive anything of substantial value for an officer or employee for the officer or employee's official position; or use or attempt to use his or her official position to obtain for another unwarranted privileges or exemptions of substantial value; or present a false or fraudulent claim to his or her employer for any payment of substantial value.

For more information on all of these new provisions, contact David Giannotti at dgiannotti@eth.state.ma.us or (617) 371-9505.

• Summary of key provisions of the Ethics Reform Act
• State Ethics Commission letter to communities regarding new conflict-of-interest law requirements
• MMA letter to state auditor requesting unfunded mandate ruling on ethics reform law

Meals and Lodging Tax increases - Click here for more information

MUNICIPAL TAX HIKES (September 25, 2009)

While most communities have so far not taken up the Legislature on its offer to allow them to boost local taxes on meals and lodging, many have quickly okayed tax hikes, which will take effect around the state on Thursday. The increases will affect prices at restaurants and hotels, depending on their location, raising the specter of some border disputes. On Aug. 1, the state sales tax rate rose from 5 to 6.25 percent but cities and towns have the option of tacking on another 0.75 percent to the meals tax and 32 communities are doing so. The list includes Amherst, Auburn, Bedford, Blandford, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Chicopee, Dartmouth, Deerfield, Everett, Franklin, Gill, Hadley, Medford, Melrose, Nantucket, Northampton, Palmer, Plainville, Raynham, Saugus, Somerville, Southbridge, Springfield, Sunderland, Taunton, Tyngsborough, West Springfield, Winthrop, and Worcester.

South Hadley fire units join forces: Separate departments seek $800,000 from town

Daily Hampshire Gazette - September 24, 2009

South Hadley fire units join forces: Separate departments seek $800,000 from town
by steve

SOUTH HADLEY - When the Select Board asked the two Fire Districts in town to work together, the latest joint initiative of the districts is not necessarily what they had in mind.
The Prudential Committees for Fire District 1 and Fire District 2, both independent governmental bodies, have agreed to approach the Selectboard, seeking the transfer of more than $800,000 in the town's ambulance fund to the two districts, said Edward Wall, Prudential Committee chairman for District 1.
If the Selectboard declines to transfer the funds, the districts are prepared to begin a petition drive to place the matter before Town Meeting this fall, Wall said.
Ambulance services run by municipalities typically break even at best, said Wall. The town ambulance fund, which has been used in the past to purchase police cars and supplement an account that aids police injured on duty, has such a robust balance because the Fire Districts were supplying the emergency medical technicians that staffed the town ambulance, he said.
The town halted its ambulance service in July. Ambulance service in South Hadley is now provided by the two districts.
"Essentially, we were donating the labor," Wall said. "The money was put in this enterprise fund to support ambulances. Our feeling is the savings should continue to be used for the ambulance service," he said.
Gregory Sheehan, Select Board chairman, said he is keeping an open mind about the proposal. The districts will have to show him how transferring the funds would benefit the town as a whole, Sheehan said.
"I think that ultimately they'll have to make their case to Town Meeting," Sheehan said.
But Sheehan is worried about the town's financial situation if the money becomes unavailable, he said. With state aid expected to be reduced again in the coming fiscal year and the town having lost more than $1 million in investments, transferring the money could lead to higher taxes or increased fees, he said.
"It could potentially lead to $800,000 less that we have to fall back on to plug holes in the budget," Sheehan said.
"We've been counting on that enterprise fund surplus. It would be a significant impact (on the town budget)," said Select Board member John Hine.
The balance of the fund is anticipated to revert to free cash July 1, and "will probably be needed to balance the FY11 budget," interim Town Administrator Jennifer Wolowicz stated in a recent memorandum.
Hine said that arrangements for running the town's ambulance were agreed on by both districts and the town when the surplus was generated. "I'm not sure there should be reconsideration of what was done in the past," he said, but added that he has not seen the specifics or rationale for the proposal.
Wall said that with the two districts combined, they represent the entire town. And with a split of the fund if it is transferred based on the population served by each district, "everybody in town gains or loses nothing," said Wall.
"I think we have a good argument," he said. "It's what the money was intended for."

Municipalities often set high price for public records - The Boston Globe

Municipalities often set high price for public records - The Boston Globe

Posted using ShareThis

Sewer rate hike OK'd

Sunday, September 20, 2009
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - The Selectboard has opted unanimously to increase the household sewer rate for the current fiscal year from $225 to $240 and from $240 to $265 per household for fiscal 2011, the following year. Last year, the town increased the sewer rate from $175 to $225 per household.

Officials approved the most recent increases Tuesday on the recommendation of Department of Public Works Superintendent James M. Reidy. He said a survey shows that even with the increase this year, South Hadley's sewer bills when compared with those of 21 surrounding communities as of Sept. 11 will be the second lowest. The study has South Hadley's rate tied with Ludlow's as the second lowest bill with the lowest being West Springfield at $200. The survey put the highest average bill at $663 in Belchertown.

Reidy proposed instituting increases over this year and next year instead of all this year to avoid rate shock.

"We want to spread these increases out so it isn't so painful," the public works superintendent said.

Selectman Marilyn G. Ishler asked Reidy how he is progressing on the switch to a system whereby bills will be based on usage. Under the current system, all households pay the same rate regardless of usage.

"There are some hurdles. I don't foresee doing that in the near future," Reidy said, adding that there are issues with software he needs to resolve and that he needs to set the rates now.

Reidy said the rate changes will help deal with increases in wages and retirement costs as well as to assist in paying down the debt service on $4.5 million in loans taken out for improvements completed this spring at the wastewater treatment plant.

Selectman Carlene C. Hamlin, who is also the town's clerk-treasurer, said the wastewater treatment plant account is taking a major reduction as part of writing off losses in the town's investment portfolio.

Selectman Robert G. Judge made the motion to increase the sewer rates.

Sewer bills will be mailed out sometime before Oct. 1 along with second quarter property tax bills. The sewer bills will be due Nov. 16 and the property taxes Nov. 1.

Selectboard OKs merit pay raises

Saturday, September 19, 2009
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - Town Hall and other municipal employees who recently formed a union will soon get raises of 1.5 percent, 3.25 percent or 6 percent depending on job performance.

Most of the employees will receive the 1.5 percent increase, and only department heads were found worthy of the 6 percent raise, a point criticized by one member of the Selectboard.

Youth services librarian Marguerite A. Clancy, a leader in the workers' years-long fight to form a union under the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said the lowest raises are still below increases in the cost of living. "We are losing money working for the town," Clancy said.

The Selectboard recently approved the increases by a 3-2 vote after considerable discussion. Selectboard member John R. Hine made the motion to award the raises, which was seconded by Selectboard member Marilyn G. Ishler and supported by Selectboard Chairman Gregory R. Sheehan. Selectmen Robert G. Judge and Carlene C. Hamlin voted against the increases.

The system of raises based on job performance allows for raises of 1.5 percent for the 35 employees meeting expectations, 3.25 percent for the 28 employees sometimes exceeding expectations and 6 percent for the six employees often exceeding expectations. The raises, which are retroactive to July 1, will be funded from $80,000 approved for that purpose by Town Meeting.

Hine said the new system of awarding raises at a much a much higher spread than in recent years is an improvement. Last year, the town gave out raises of 3 percent, 3.5 percent and 4 percent annually depending on merit after several years of giving out raises less than those received by the town's unionized employees.

"I think we are better off than we were before," Hine said.

Sheehan said he likes the system allowing for a greater spread between employees just meeting expectations and those exceeding them.

Hamlin criticized the evaluations that showed only department heads often exceeding expectations.

Split vote nets raises for South Hadley employees

From the Daily Hampshire Gazette:
-------------------------------------------------
By STEPHEN C. HILL
Staff Writer

Friday, September 18, 2009

SOUTH HADLEY
The six top performing town employees, all department heads, will receive a 6 percent raise this year.

Selectmen in a split vote Tuesday approved the merit pay increase plan as proposed by the Personnel Review Board. Board members Carlene Hamlin and Robert Judge objected to the plan. Hamlin voted against them because no employees other than department heads were rated by the review board to "often exceed expectations" and Judge because he is concerned about reduced town revenues in coming fiscal years.

The review board's report, based on evaluations from supervisors, rated 35 of the 69 nonunion town employees as "meeting expectations," 28 as "sometimes exceeding expectations" and six as "often exceeding expectations." Those meeting expectations will receive a 1.5 percent raise, those sometimes exceeding will receive 3.25 percent and those often exceeding expectations a 6 percent raise.

"It just doesn't send a good message to me and to the employees," said Hamlin, after learning that all those rated as often exceeding expectations are department heads. "This will breed confrontation," she said.

As a new department head after being elected Clerk/Treasurer in May, Hamlin said she knows other employees to be outstanding. Most department heads are evaluated by the town administrator and with Barry Del Castilho serving part time as the interim administrator this year, he had less opportunity to observe their performance, she said.

Department heads, therefore, "all probably had a lot of input on their evaluations," Hamlin said. When told two of the six department heads were evaluated by the elected boards that oversee them, she said "I rest my case."

Although board chairman Gregory Sheehan voted for the merit raise plan, he agreed with some of Hamlin's points. "How can a department head be a superstar without some of his staff being superstars," he said.

Judge said state aid will likely be reduced in the coming year and the current budget is not in balance because Town Meeting rejected the local option to increase meals and rooms taxes. "This is not the time to increase your wage base," Judge said.

Town Administrator - Daily Hampshire Gazette - September 12, 2009

Town Administrator Town of South Hadley Town Administrator position; responsible to a five-member Selectboard; representative Town Meeting is legislative body; independent water, fire and electric light districts. Manages and directs town activities, departments and projects as the Chief Administrative Officer. Bachelor's Degree in public administration, planning or business management or related field plus five (5) to seven (7) years experience in a municipal, business or related field is required, or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Municipal or business management experience as a Chief Administrative Officer is strongly preferred. Master's Degree in finance, public/business administration or related field is strongly preferred. Experience with Massachusetts General Laws, collective bargaining, personnel administration, and the town meeting process is desirable, as well as experience with economic development. Salary depending on qualifications. Send letter of interest, resume and current salary to: Selectboard 116 Main Street South Hadley, MA 01075 or selectboard@ southhadley.org by 9/30/09

"Town administrator responsibilities set"

Monday, September 07, 2009

By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE

sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - Selectmen have agreed in principle to not add the responsibilities of handling personnel and procurement functions to the job description of town administrator.

Officials reached that conclusion during a working session of the board Thursday and are expected to vote to approve the job description when they meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

Selectboard Chairman Gregory R. Sheehan argued in favor of returning the personnel and procurement functions to the top municipal post. They were split off from the town administrator's responsibilities several years ago and have been handled on a part-time basis by Personnel Officer-Procurement Officer Jennifer L. Wolowicz. She has served as interim town administrator as well as having her usual responsibilities since June 1.

Sheehan argued that that shows all those responsibilities can be handled by one person.

However, Selectman John R. Hine said that that does not necessarily demonstrate all those functions should be performed by one person as there could be things that are not being done now that will make for problems later on.

Selectmen Marilyn G. Ishler and Robert G. Judge also said they lean toward keeping two separate positions.

South Hadley has not had a permanent town administrator in place for any substantial length of time since Patricia A. Vinchesi left the position about two years ago to become deputy director of the Springfield Finance Control Board. Michael A. Szlosek, Ludlow's former town administrator, served as the town's top administrator for three months in 2008.

Selectmen are in the process of putting together an advertisement to attract candidates for the town administrator job as well as forming a selection committee to help with filling the job.

Although some residents have expressed interest in making the position of town administrator more like that of a town manager, who could have direct authority over appointed department heads, selectmen on Thursday opted to not go that route.

Judge said that the proper way to go about making that change would be for a commission to be formed to seek the necessary charter change.

Town Administrator Search Committee

The South Hadley Selectboard has established a new a Town Administrator Search Committee that will have nine members. The Committee will screen applications for the position of Town Administrator, interview selected candidates, and recommend finalists to be interviewed by the Selectboard. The Committee’s work will occur mainly in October and November.

Four seats on the Search Committee have been reserved for the Town Moderator/Town Counsel and representatives of the School Committee, Appropriations Committee and the business community.

The Selectboard invites expressions of interest from South Hadley residents to fill the remaining five seats on the Search Committee. Send to 116 Main Street, South Hadley, 01075 or selectboard@southhadley.org no later than Wednesday, September 23. Appointments will be made on September 29.

Please let me know if you are interested in serving on the Committee. If you have a question, please feel free to contact me at BobJudge@comcast.net or at 413-532-5792.

Thanks for your attention!

- Bob Judge

Town Administrator or Town Manager?

August 26, 2009

Dear Editor:

Before the Charter vote last April, many South Hadley residents said that town government should be changed. Some of those residents said that the Town should replace the current Town Administrator position with a Town Manger position that has greater authority. This month, still more residents have told members of the Selectboard that the Town needs a position that is stronger than the current Town Administrator position.

The Selectboard voted on August 25 to establish a Committee to help us to hire a new Town Administrator. That Committee will have an interesting job and I encourage residents to volunteer to serve on it.

The Selectboard will change the current Town Administrator job description in September. However, changing that job description will not by itself make a significant change in how town government operates. To accomplish that, the Selectboard and others involved in town government would have to change how they work. So, we should consider other changes besides the Town Administrator job description. For example, a special-purpose committee earlier this year suggested that the Town should "consider removing (certain) positions from the elected process," to become appointed positions instead.

The best way to try to make significant changes in our town government is not by changing job descriptions, but through the establishment of another Charter Commission.

Do you want to help hire a new Town Administrator? If so, consider volunteering to serve on the Town Administrator search committee. Do you want to go further, to help make significant change in the very structure of our town government? If so, you and the other citizens of South Hadley should work to establish a new Charter Commission.

Robert Judge

Duties of town post reviewed

Thursday, September 03, 2009

By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE

sconstantine@repub.com

SOUTH HADLEY - Selectmen hope to amend the job description of the town administrator at a meeting today at 7 p.m. to possibly give the position more responsibilities.

They are not expected to take any votes when they meet in Town Hall, but hope to hammer out a job description to be voted on at a subsequent meeting, Laura Krutzler, the board's administrative secretary, said Monday.

The town has not had a permanent town administrator in place for any appreciable length of time since Patricia A. Vinchesi left the position about two years ago. Michael A. Szlosek, Ludlow's former town administrator, served in the position locally for three months in 2008. Retired Town Administrator Barry L. Del Castilho has helped out by serving two stints as interim town administrator, most recently until June 1. At that time, Personnel Officer/Chief Procurement Officer Jennifer L. Wolowicz took over as interim town administrator with Del Castilho doing some consulting.

Officials had decided to delay a search for a permanent replacement until after the summer months and recently issued a call for residents to serve on a search committee. The town administrator is currently responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the town and carrying out policies and procedures set by the Selectboard.

Among the residents interested in expanding the responsibilities of the town administrator is former Selectman Linda W. Young. She was one of the leaders of a campaign that in April defeated a ballot question calling for dropping the town meeting form of government in favor of having a mayor.

At one of their recent meetings, selectmen talked about the possibility of adding duties and responsibilities to the town administrator job description so it will be more like a town manager. However, Selectmen John R. Hine and Marilyn G. Ishler said that such a change would require a charter change, a process that can be started with a petition.

Selectboard Chairman Gregory R. Sheehan said he would not be opposed to adding procurement and personnel functions to the job.

Special Town Meeting Supplemental Information

MEMORANDUM

TO: Town Meeting Members
FR: Jennifer L. Wolowicz, Interim Town Administrator
Barry Del Castilho
RE: Special Town Meeting Supplemental Information
DA: August 7, 2009

The FY10 budget that was adopted at the Annual Town Meeting assumed a revenue from the Senate-proposed local option meals tax of 2% in the amount of $272,471. Town Meeting also approved a motion to approve any increase in the statewide meals and rooms taxes and to approve the maximum local option meals tax, not to exceed 2%. We said that both the revenue estimate and the tax approvals were not final, but both were based on the best information available at the time. The revenue estimate was more conservative than a previous estimate of almost $400,000 from the House-proposed budget.

The local option meals tax turns out to be ¾%, and there is now an increase in the local option rooms tax of 2%, from 4% to 6% (the latter increase had not been in any previous versions of the State budget). Both must be accepted by the Town with a specific reference to the statute that was enacted after the Annual Town Meeting dissolved. The estimated revenues from these taxes are $66,172 for the local option meals tax and $3,000 for the local option rooms tax, a total of $69,172. Those estimates are for three-quarters of FY10, beginning October 1, 2009. Town Meeting must accept those statutes before September 1, 2009 in order to receive the revenue for the period beginning October 1, 2009 and ending June 30, 2010. If Town Meeting accepts the statutes at a fall town meeting, the revenues would be received for the period beginning January 1, 2010 and would be approximately two-thirds of the estimates for three-quarters of the year, i.e. approximately $23,057 less.

The $203,299 difference between the $272,471 previous estimate and the $69,172 total current estimate is largely offset by an increase in “Unrestricted General Government Aid” in the amount of $160,850, presumably from the increase in the State sales tax. As always, other things also change, and some numbers aren’t even final yet. The estimated net effect on the FY10 budget as approved by Town Meeting is approximately $100,000. That will essentially reduce Free Cash, because less money from the State will require an additional amount from the Town. But no appropriation from Free Cash is being sought at the August 25, 2009 special town meeting because other changes resulting from FY09 revenues and expenditures may further offset that net amount. All budget adjustments will be recommended at a fall town meeting.

For additional information please contact Bill Sutton at 538-5031 or Jennifer Wolowicz at 538-5017.

Expanded town administrator duties mulled in South Hadley

Monday, August 24, 2009

SOUTH HADLEY - As selectmen begin the process for seeking a permanent town administrator, the board Tuesday discussed adding duties and responsibilities to the job description before advertising for candidates.

Selectman John Hine said some residents, including those who worked against a proposed town charter that would have instituted a mayoral system of government, have been asking for the town administrator to have expanded powers that would make the position more like a town manager. Some examples of possible additional authority, Hine said, are allowing the administrator to ratify contracts under $100,000 and to hire some department heads.

But board member Robert Judge said the move to a town manager cannot be done without a charter directing that action. Residents who want a town manager should begin the charter process with a petition, he said.

Board member Marilyn Ishler agreed. Although the Massachusetts Municipal Association states the change from town administrator to manager can often be made without a change in personnel, "it has to be done with a charter," she said.

But board members found themselves unsure about what can be added to a town administrator's responsibilities and authority before the position becomes a town manager.

"I am not for changing the form of government through a job description," said Gregory Sheehan, board chairman. But he would not be opposed to adding appropriate responsibilities to the position, such as recombining the procurement and personnel officer posts, which were split from the town administrator job several years ago. Jennifer Wolowicz, the personnel and procurement officer who has been serving as interim town administrator, has shown it can be done, Sheehan said. Wolowicz said her tenure doe not necessarily demonstrate that.

Board members will submit suggested additions and deletions to the existing job description to Wolowicz via email by Wednesday and meet for a working session on Sept. 3 to hammer out an updated job description.

The other parts of finding a new town administrator - forming a search committee, setting a time line and deciding on an advertising strategy - will occur at the same time.

"I think we can go ahead and start the search. It's going to be a long process," said Hine.

Ishler said she is eager to have a new town administrator in place. "I'd like to be advertising as soon as we can in September," she said. And while the town budget contains funds to pay an administrator's salary beginning in January, Ishler said, "I'd rather spend (more) money and have him here in October."

The board asked Wolowicz to gather documents from last year's town administrator search for members to review when they meet after the town meeting Tuesday to formulate a plan.

Stephen Hill can be reached at shill@gazettenet.com.