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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-07-17 Board of Selectmen Minutes } Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 17r 1986 Pane 1 ' ! � A meeting of the Board of Selectmen convened in the Executive Offices, 6 Lowell Street' Reading, Ma. at 700 P.M. Present were Chairman L�] Landers' Vice-Chairman Ziegler, Secretary Nigro and Board Members Russell and Graham. The purpose of this meeting is the interview of two additional Town Manager candidates; Mr. Calvin Teague of Creenviller Michigan and Mr. Peter I. Hechenbleikner of Westfield, New Jersey. The first candidate interviewed was Mr. Calvin Teague. Chairman Landers opened the meeting by introducing himself and outlining a brief personal and professional history of each of the Selectmen. Chairman Landers next asked Mr. Teague to share with the Board a brief history of his personal and professional background. Mr. Teague replied his background includes military service in � ] the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968 to 1971. During this time he was stationed at various locations around the world, including Viet Nam from 1968 to 1969 where he was decorated and promoted. From July 1976 to November 1979 Mr. Teague served as the Village Manager in Constantine, Michigan. While there he totally revamped the financial and accounting systems; attracted and placed two international corporations, obtained over $1.S million in federal and state funds to rehabilitate all phases of the villages infrastructure, downtown parking expansion and the construction of a new municipal complex. From November 1979 to present, Mr. Teague serves as City Manager in Creenville' Michigan, population 8,600. The city employs approximately ' 160 persons and operates on a budget of $6.5 million while occupying an U area of 4.4 square miles. Significant management accomplishments include [- @ procuring over $6 million dollars in Federal and State Grants to meet � ~ , Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 17, 1986 Page 2 � | � infrastructure needs; reorganization of the administrative structure, negotiation of a public safety contract which consolidated two unions into | � l one unified bargaining unit, creation of an economic development program which assisted in expanding the city's tax base by 70% and creating 1000 new 'obs within a four year period. His educational background includes a B.S. in Public Administration from Ferris State College in Big Rapids, Michigan and an M.P.A. from Grand Valley State College in Allendale, Michigan. ' Chairman Landers asked why did you respond to the advertisement and why do you want to come to Reading? Mr. Teague replied I am ready for a career change, the next natural progression for me would be to a larger community with a population close to 25x000. My wife is an R.N. and there are certainly opportunities for her career here. We have limited ourselves to three \ | areas of the. country, Boston being one of them. Chairman Landers asked what do you consider the most significant accomplishments you have made in your professional career? Mr. Teague replied I am very diversified in all areas and impact. I am an innovative problem solver. I can be counted on for a "team'' management approach. In Greenville, I consolidated the Police and Fire Departments into one unit. Chairman Landers asked what are some of the differences you have noticed in this community and the one you are at now? Do you have initial impressions on how to approach these differences? Mr. Teague replied there is not much difference geographically, ' it is warmer here' so winter storms are not as severe here. We average [ | 80-120" of snow each year. The State and local tax structure is different. Michigans revenues from the state are guaranteed. Greenville is 35% residential. Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 17, 1986 Page 3 Chairman Landers stated one of the obvious changes is our Town Meeting form of Government. What are your thoughts on this? What kinds of experience have you had in dealing with a large legislative body?. Mr. Teague replied this would be interesting. I have given presentations to groups of 300. I am sure this form of government will be more frustrating, but I feel that preparation will be the key. Chairman Landers asked do you plan to live in Reading? Mr. Teague replied I think it is extremely important to be accessible, however, the peal estate market is 3 to 4 times higher than what we are used to. We will not lower our standard of living to relocate to Reading. The Board next discussed some of the major issues to come before the Town of Reading. ' Mr. Russell stated one of the major issues in Town is the John \ i Street area and landfill development. How would you handle these issues? Mr. Teague replied one advantage you have here is the high property values. We sell industrial land fully developed at $6,OOO.00 per ' square foot. You should have an overall community plan and your number one priority should be quality of life. Russ Graham asked how would you deal with fiscal problems under Proposition 2 1/2 and Qrantology? Mr. Teague replied your stabilization fund is excellent, hmwever, you should not be lured into a false sense of secur1ty. You should look at the tax base and flag situations about to occur. ' Molly Ziegler stated we have five independent unions' what do you ' think your role might be? Also, would you plan to use Labor Counsel? | . ) ! ' ` '` ^ Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 17, 1986 Page 4 ' Mr. Teague replied we do not use Labor Counsel in Greenville. Only Police Safety is organized. Teachers are not organized in Michigan. / Eugene Nigro stated there are 16 Department Meads that will report to you: what organization and communication skills would you use to stay on top of things? Mr. Teague replied I have weekly staff meetings and would continue that practice. I cut from 13 to 8 Department Heads. I do not believe in "across the board" budget increases, but have to look at the broad picture. I submit a form to each of the council members asking for their directionon increases in taxes or decrease in services. I also sent out a community survey and asked what the residents want. Chairman Landers asked have you read the Charter, and do you like it? What are some of the challenges you foresee? Mr. Teague replied yes, it is similar to many of the City | Charters in Michigan. I like it and would be comfortable with it. This { gives strong Manager control. I saw no maJor problems or anything that would scare me off. I am excited about the job, and would expect to say on for at least five years. ' The Board next discussed the Conditions of Employment and Fringe Benefits. Mr. Teague requested a minimum salary of $55,000.00 and a 60 day notice to his present empIoyer. Mrs. Ziegler explained all the benefits currently offered by the Town of Reading. Chairman Landers thanked Mr. Teague for coming and the interview ' ended at 8: 4S P.M. ^ The Board next met with Peter I. Hechenbleikner of Westfield, New � | Jersey at 9:00 P.M. ~ Chairman Landers opened the interview by introducing himself and welcoming Mr. Hechenbleikner to the meeting. . ^ Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 17' 1986 Page 6 _ Chairman Landers then gave a brief personal and professional � | � | history of each of the Selectmen. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated from 1970 - 1974 he served as a Project Planner at Raymond Parish Pine and Weiner, Planning Consultants, in Tarrytown, N.Y. From 1974 - 1977 he served as a Township Planner, Department head' and Zoning Officer in the Township of Pequanoockr N.J. From 1977 - 1979 he served as Director of Planning & Development in the Township of South Brunswick, New Jersey. From 1979 to present he is serving as the Township Administrator of the Town of Plainsboro; N.J. His education includes a Masters of Science, City and Regional Planning, from the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York in June 1974. He \ also holds a Certificate in Social and Regional Planning from the | University of Manchester, Manchester, England acquired in 1971. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and public Administration, from the University of Cincinnati' Cincinnati, Ohio ' acquired in 1970. Chairman Landers asked why did you respond to the advertisement? Why do you want to come to Reading? Mr. HechenbIeikner replied things are at a plateau right now in Plainsboro. I love New England, I have family here. My wife is in corporate finance and needs to be near a major metropolitan area. The fact that it is the first Town Managers position is extremely attractive to me. Chairman Landers asked what do you consider the most significant accomplishments you have made in your professional career? | | ~ | | ' ' ' ' ^ Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 17, 1986 Page 6 Mr. Hechenbleikner replied I know what it is to be a first � \ � | manager, and have first-hand experience at it. My greatest strength is ) contact with people, I am always accessible. My other strength is my budget experience. Chairman Landers asked what are some of the differences you have noticed in this community and the one you are at now? Do you have initial - impressions on bow to approach these differences? Mr. Hechenbleikner replied Plainsboro is growing very rapidly. The major difference I see is the existence of Town Meeting as the governing body, presently, 99% of authority is delegated to me. I an used to dealing with large governmental bodies. We do have a Town Meeting every year, but they only have advisory capabilities. When we lived in Mass. , we lived in a Town with Open Town Meeting. The Town Meeting process certainly | does not concern me. The Town Manager's role is clearly defined in the \ Charter. Chairman Landers asked do you plan to live in Reading? Mr. Hechenbleikner replied I would certainly try to live here, ' the housing seems fairly compatible in price. Mr. Russell slated one of the major issues in Town is the John Street landfill development and other site sales. How would you handle these issues? Mr. Hechenbleikner replied this is a difficult issue. I do have a Masters degree in Planning and recognize the need to plan ahead. The real key to understanding is; what are your current needs, and short and long ' term goals. I take a planners approach. Water supply problems and quality of water also needs to be taken into consideration � . � Russell Graham asked how will you handle fiscal problems under Proposition 2 1/2? ' Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 17, 1986 Page 7 Mr. Hechenblefkner replied New Jersey has very strict and tight controls over budget. I would approach the problems with a base of good budgeting. The only way I think you can do this is to understand what the base costs to run a Department are. Then you need to look at what your perceived needs are and place priorities accordingly. The broader the process, the better the acceptance will be. Molly Ziegler stated we have five independent unionsr have you been involved with union negotiations and contracts? Mr. Hechenbleikner replied yes, we recently had a Police Department union formed. We spent four months negotiating a three year contract with them, we created the first contract. We met frequently and productively. My experience is to be open and try to understand the other point of view, and to be able to explain management's point of view. I | don't see the union problems as a big issue. Perhaps someone new will \ � sweep the slate clean. One of the prerogatives I have is being able to speak with all types of employees. You need to be in all areas of the Town. ' Eugene Nigro stated there are 16 Department Heads that will report to you. What organization and communication skills would you use to stay on top of things? Mr. Hechenbleikner replied in Plainsboro, I have full control. Being able to delegate is a very difficult task for me. I make all final decisions on hiring. Your Charter is unclear on this issue, In Plainsboro we only have six departments, we have no cemeteries, but we do have a ' district court in the area. \ � ~ i | ' ' ` `' ` ` Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 17y 1986 Page 8 Chairman Landers asked have you read the Charter; do you like it? � What are some of the challenges you foresee? | Mr. Hechenbleikner replied yours is a very good charter tailor-made for your community. I haven't seen any challenges, I think this is clear enough to provide direction and room for change if need be. The Board next discussed Conditions of Employment and Fringe Benefits. Mr. Hechenbleikner stated his current salary is $46n700 and he requested $51'700. He added he would be prepared to commence work on September 1, and would like to be accessible to Plainsboro. After further discussion, Chairman Landers thanked Mr. Hechenbleikner for coming and the interview ended at 100S P.M. Mr. Russell stated he felt that Mr. Hechenbleikner gave the best | answers and fullest insight on many of the questions. \ Mr. Nigro stated I was very impressed with Mr. Hechenbleikner, but was struck by Mr. Forrester's intelligence and background. Mr. Graham stated we want a strong Town Manager. Mr. ' Hechenbleikner is probably the only one who came to and recognized the problems of the Charter without having been here. By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted 5: 0 that the first offer of employment for Town Manager should be extended to Peter I. Hechenbleikner. By a show of hands, it was moved, seconded and voted S| O to structure the initial offer on the basis as shown below, and any major ' deviations from that be brought back to the Board for ratification; Salary - $52,500.00 | | Vacation - 15 days first year - | ) ' Car Allowance - $250/month Board of Selectmen Meeting of July 177 1986 Page 9 Sick Leave - IS days/year, / | Travel' Conference & Education Expense - $2,500.00 � | Up to 3 days house hunting expenses Health Insurance - What is currently available Life Insurance - What is currently available Start Date - September 1, 1986 Moving Expenses - 100% up to $3,000.00 SO% remainder above $3,00O.00 Maximum $67000.00 By a show of hands, it was movedr seconded and voted S:O to adjourn at 12: 1O A.M. Respectfully subm1tted; Secretary ' ` ' ' ' i | ~ \` )