Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-14 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting November 14, 2012 The meeting convened at 7:02 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, James Bonazoli, and Office Manager Paula Schena. Discussion/Action Item Appointments to the Town Manager Screening Committee — Stephen Goldy noted that many interviews are scheduled so they have to keep to a 15 minute timeline for each interview. The Board interviewed Bill Brown. He noted he has been a resident of Reading for 80 years, has served on numerous committees, has been a Town Meeting Member for 45 years, he is a cabinet maker who went to the Vocational School and he was able to build his own house from the ground up. Mr. Brown indicated he is volunteering for this position because he loves civics. The Board interviewed David Greenfield. Mr. Greenfield noted that he is applying as the Finance Committee representative. He participated in the DPW Director screening. He is employed as a risk manager and feels the Town needs another Manager with the same qualities as our present Town Manager. The Board interviewed Jacqueline Carson. Ms. Carson indicated she is a social worker by trade and is the Chief Executive Officer of Peter Sanborn Place. She has been a resident of Reading for 16 years. She has recruiting and managerial experience. She noted that Reading is healthy, but that can change on a dime without the right leadership. She feels the Town needs a different type of leadership with the select Boards and Department Heads playing a stronger role. The Board interviewed Mark Dockser. Mr. Dockser noted that he has been a resident for 16 years, a Town Meeting member and is a member of the Finance Committee. He noted he would like to see the Town grow and he feels the Town Manager plays a key role in making that happen. James Bonazoli asked Mr. Dockser if he is looking for someone like the current Town Manager and Mr. Dockser indicated not a "snapshot." He would like to see more outreach to get people involved. He feels the Town needs someone who's comfortable being out in the Town, not behind the desk all day. The Board interviewed Michael Giacalone. Mr. Giacalone noted that he is a certified accountant with extensive background in the business world. He also served on the Chamber of Commerce. James Bonazoli asked what characteristics he would be looking for beyond the business side and Mr. Giacalone indicated he would like to keep the baseball programs going. Board of Selectmen Minutes—November 14, 2012—page 2 The Board interviewed Brian Snell. Mr. Snell noted he is an attorney and Town Meeting Member. He is involved with the Reading United Soccer Club, basketball, and he serves on the Council on Aging in North Reading. He served on the school council and on the screening committee for a new principal at Parker Middle School. He was also a hiring manager at Fleet. The Board interviewed Brenda Sousa. Ms. Sousa indicated she is a Human Resource Director and she deals with all levels of hiring. She will be able to help the team determine the right person for the position. Richard Schubert asked Ms. Sousa if she had any exposure to government roles and Ms. Sousa indicated she did not have direct exposure, but she views the Town Manager as the Chief Executive Officer and the skills are transferable. Richard Schubert asked Ms. Sousa about her understanding of Reading as a community and Ms. Sousa noted she watches the meetings on RCTV and finds it very interesting as to how the Town government works. Ms. Sousa noted she will look for someone who is a leader, willing to invest their time and energy in Reading, fiscally responsible and a team worker putting residents first and foremost. The Board interviewed Rob Spadafora. Mr. Spadafora noted that he has been a resident for 40 plus years, is a School Committee member, is legal counsel for a medical device company, and he is involved in the hiring process. He has also served on two separate Superintendent Search Committees. The Board interviewed Marsie West. Ms. West noted she is currently a member of the Reading Municipal Light Board. She served nine years on the Finance Committee and Audit Committee. She has hired people in teams as large as 70 people. The Board interviewed Steven Sadwick. Mr. Sadwick noted that he was the Community Development Director in Stoneham and is now in Tewksbury. He served on a Town Manager Search Committee and was Chairman of the Personnel Review Board. He is currently the Town of Reading's representative on the MAPC and the President of the Massachusetts Planners Association. He was involved in hiring a Building Commissioner, Health Director, Finance Director, and DPW Superintendent. Ben Tafoya asked if there was any chance he would come to work in Reading and Mr. Sadwick indicated no. The Board interviewed Andrew Grimes. Mr. Grimes noted he has been a resident since 1996, served nine years on the Finance Committee and has been a Town Meeting member since 1997. He served on the Municipal Building Committee and on the Library Board of Trustees. He noted that the current Town Manager keeps everything running smoothly but has not pushed for something outside the box. He runs things very tightly and his stamp is on everything. The Board interviewed Camille Anthony. Mrs. Anthony noted she always thought she would want to do this. She noted that the current Town Manager has molded the Town and she wants someone with the same agenda. Board of Selectmen Minutes—November 14 2012—Daae 3 The Board members discussed their willingness to serve on the Committee. _A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafova to place the following names into nomination as the Selectmen's representatives on the ad hoc Town Manager Screening Committee with a term expiring June 1, 2013: Ben Tafova and James Bonazoli was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Tafova seconded by Schubert to place the following names into nomination for the following representatives on the ad hoc Town Manager Screening Committee with a term expiring June 1, 2013: Superintendent of Schools John Doherty and Department Head James Cormier was approved by a vote of 5-0- 0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Bonazoli to appoint Mark Dockser as the Finance Committee representative on the ad hoc Town Manager Screening Committee with a term expiring June 1,2013 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. There was much discussion about the at-large applicants and Selectman Schubert indicated he is interested in having some female perspective on the committee since the Board of Selectmen are all males. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafova to appoint Brenda Sousa as one member of the public at large on the ad hoc Town Manager Screening Committee with a term expiring June 1,2013 was approved by a vote off-0-0. A motion by Schubert seconded by Tafova to appoint Jacqueline Carson as one _member of the public at large on the ad hoc Town Manager Screening Committee with a term expiring June 1,2013 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Bonazoli seconded by Tafova to adiourn the meeting at 10:54 D.M. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted Secretary