TOWN OF
SPECIAL MEETING –
Chairman Cheryl Andrews opened the meeting at
Other Attendees: Consultant Thomas Groux of Groux & Associates
Recorder:
The following are meeting
minutes, in brief.
1. TOWN
MANAGER SEARCH PROCESS
Disclosure
by Sarah Peake
“Because
of some questions I understand have been raised and there was some mention in a
newspaper article regarding a potential conflict of interest, I have today,
filed a disclosure with the Town Clerk’s office. I’ve check with the Ethics Commission and
there is no conflict of interest but I do have a friendship relationship with
one of the candidates (Sharon Lynn) prior to the time the search process began
and applications were received. She has
made some donations to my State Rep Campaign but I have disclosed this, filed
it with the Town Clerk and I can be fair and impartial in my judgment and I’m
just disclosing it so there is no appearance of a conflict of interest.”
****************
Chairman
Andrews briefly reviewed the agenda of the previous Board meeting on
Saturday, February 17, 2007. The in that the Board met starting at 2 PM, then spoke in
public followed by interviews with the interviewing four
candidates beginning at 4PM and then in public
once again for about an half hour and reduced the number of candidates from
four to two and have not met on this
topic since.
The purpose of the meeting today
is to see what the next step is and how the Board would like to proceed.
Chairman
Andrews explained that the Mr. Groux Groux’s has been with
us since the beginning of this process and helped us
with was responsibility for forming the
Search Committee … and gave special thanks to the Search Committee who worked
so hard on behalf of the town.
Mr. Groux’s job is to: a) make sure that the Board of Selectmen completecompletes this process by the letter of the
law, b) help the Board of Selectmen achieve conceive a
consensus.
Mr.
Groux - At the last meeting you asked me to do a few things. One of which was to verify the resume
information that the two candidates
presented in their resumes, their cover letters and statements they made during
their interviews. You also asked me to give some consideration to
what you, as a Board of Selectmen, need to be aware of with respect to contract
issues that may come up with either of the two candidates that you may end up
offering the position to and attempting to negotiate a contract with.
On
the latterlater part there is information I would like
to share with you that you need to be aware of that pertains to contract issues
– that ought to be done in executive session.
The issue of references and verification of that data has been
completed. I would say that both
candidates – Michael Coughlin and Sharon Lynn – the information they have
presented to you in their resumes, cover letters and statements they made at
the meetings are accurate – I find no discrepancies. The references they gave me and the people I
spoke to beyond that pretty much verified what was presented pretty accurate
information. I think you have two very
well qualified candidates. Different
management styles and different experience level … on the other hand both of
them are certainly well qualified according to the standards that your charter
requires and the Board of Selectmen have set forth. I did recommend early on and will repeat
that I think it is important that your choice be unanimous, if possible.
Open discussion ensued.
MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote pursuant to
MGL C.39,§23B, clause 3 to go into executive session to conduct strategy
sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel; and to convene in open session thereafter.
Motion
by: Michele
Couture Seconded by:
Richard Olson
[Roll Call]
Michele Couture – Yea Richard Olson – Yea David Nicolau – Yea
Sarah Peake – Yea Cheryl Andrews - Yea
Yea 5
Nay 0 - Motion Passes -
The board went into executive session at
The board reconvened in open session at
Open discussion ensued and each Selectman gave
their view on the candidates and the selection of their choice for the next
town manager.
MOTION: Move that the Board of Selectmen vote to authorize
our consultant, Thomas Groux, to act on our behalf and to open
negotiations with Sharon Lynn for the position of Town Manager for the Town of
Motion
by: Cheryl
Andrews Seconded by:
Michele Couture Yea 5 Nay
0
Next meeting scheduled for 20072007
Motion
to adjourn by Michele Couture at
Minutes
transcribed by: