By STEPHEN C. HILL
Staff Writer
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.
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.
