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.

"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.

"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.

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.