Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-19 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting September 19, 2012 The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Stephen Goldy, Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen John Arena and James Bonazoli, Human Resource Administrator Carol Roberts, Office Manager Paula Schena, and Consultant Steve McGoldrick from the Collins Center. Discussion/Action Items Review Process of Town Manager Search — Stephen Goldy noted that Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner has announced his retirement effective June 1, 2013. The first step is candidate profiling. Steve McGoldrick from the Collins Center noted that the Center was established by legislature to provide low cost assistance to communities. They have completed 140 projects for communities as small as Winthrop to as big as Springfield. Mr. McGoldrick noted that the profile is important and is the main marketing piece. He recommends a screening committee consisting of approximately five members. The applicants are not made public with a screening committee and will draw more candidates. He noted that sometimes the best candidates are the ones not looking for a job. Mr. McGoldrick reviewed the process that the Collins Center uses. First a profile is created; then they do networking and screen resumes; they work with the screening committee on questions to ask and set up the interviews. They do comprehensive background checks and hire a firm to do criminal checks. The search committee then forwards candidates to the Board of Selectmen and the Collins Center is done. Richard Schubert asked how many towns that they worked for were vacancies due to retirements and Mr. McGoldrick noted most people left for other jobs. Mr. McGoldrick also noted that 120 - 150 days is needed for the process. Richard Schubert questioned if we should seek consulting services or do in-house. Mr. McGoldrick noted that it is easy for things to go awry when it is done in-house. Consultants do the leg work and make the phone calls. Richard Schubert asked about the likelihood of success and Mr. McGoldrick noted that the next person will probably be here for five to seven years. John Arena noted that the consultants develop a relationship with the candidates and he inquired as to how much information is shared with the Selectmen. Mr. McGoldrick noted that the background check information is not shared. Stephen Goldy noted that they are leaning towards a Selectman, Department Head, Superintendent of Schools, Town Moderator for input on the profile. Steve McGoldrick indicated he could get the profile done in a couple of weeks. Board of Selectmen Minutes— September 19 2012 —page 2 James Bonazoli asked if the search would be national or local and Mr. McGoldrick indicated everything is national now. Richard Schubert asked if there would be any adjustments for candidates out of New England and Mr. McGoldrick indicated there shouldn't be any issues, but collective bargaining could be a big adjustment. John Arena asked where in the career curve do we want to hire and Mr. McGoldrick indicated it will take 10— 15 years of experience to replace Peter. Richard Schubert asked what type of credentials are we looking for and Mr. McGoldrick indicated we will want someone in or on the way to ICMA certification. John Arena asked if we should disqualify someone for not having it and Mr. McGoldrick noted that we should not because it is attainable. John Arena asked how big the Collins Center is and Mr. McGoldrick indicated they have 4 FTE and they also bring in people to do project work. He indicated he will put together a proposal within 48 hours. Stephen Goldy recommended that the Board think about the profile, personal qualifications and professional qualifications. Richard Schubert suggested adding the challenges that we are faced with to the list. John Arena suggested doing the challenges first. James Bonazoli noted that the Town's goals outline the challenges. Reading is unique in collaboration of the Town and School department. Ben Tafoya asked who we will work with on the profile. He noted that the Collins Center sits down one on one to develop a profile. Richard Schubert noted that the consultant will facilitate and guide. Carol Roberts noted that there needs to be an outside consultant to develop the profile. This is a different process than hiring a Department Head. She indicated we could perhaps contract to do the profile and then determine what route to take. She feels it is better to go with the experts because they know what works. The Board indicated they would like to hear what MMA consulting has to say. James Bonazoli suggested looking for internal candidates before going outside. Ben Tafoya indicated he feels a complete search should be done and the candidates will know that there are internal candidates. The goal is to develop the profile by mid-September. It was decided to meet with MMA Consulting within the next two weeks or go with Collins. The next meeting on this topic will be October 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. Board of Selectmen Minutes —September 19, 2012—page 3 A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafoya to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary