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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 02/03/2011 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 3, 2011 Members Present: Karen Quigley, Chairman Frederick R. Koed Paul Carlson Leland H.Jenkins Member Absent: Edwin G. Carr Others Present: Stephen J. Lombard, Interim Town Manager Jennifer Brennan Oram, Selectmen's Clerk Chairman Quigley called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM. Interviews for Town Manager Recruitment Consultants Selectman Frederick Koed recused himself from this portion of the meeting as he is a graduate of the Collins School of Management. The remaining members of the Board asked each applicant the same series of questions. Thomas Groux of Groux Associates—Mr. Groux addressed the Board and briefly reviewed his background. The members of the Board asked him the series of questions. Richard Kobayashi—The Collins Center for Public Management— Mr. Kobayashi addressed the Board and briefly reviewed his background. The members of the Board asked him the series of questions. Alan S. Gould—Municipal Resources—Mr. Gould addressed the Board and briefly reviewed his background. The members of the Board asked him the series of questions. Deliberation and Selection of Town Manager Recruitment Consultant—The Board then deliberated. Selectman Paul Carlson stated that he was very impressed by Mr. Kobyashi's experience,that he though Mr.Alan gave quick and concise answers and that Mr. Groux did not strike him as thoughtful. Selectman Leland Jenkins stated that he thought all of the applicants were excellent. He said that he was leaning more towards Mr. Groux as he had worked as a Town Manager and could get could candidates through his existing contacts from this area. Chairman Quigley stated that she had created a matrix and that on paper, she felt Mr. Groux's presentation appealed to her the most. She was looking for somebody that had a local connection and he has good references. She likes Mr. Kobayashi, but felt his presentation was more boiler plate and less about Cohasset. She did like Mr. Gould and his approach, but feels that his focus for placement is more towards public safety. She did not think that Mr. Groux interviewed well. Selectman Carlson stated that initially on paper, Mr. Groux stood out to him, but face to face he was more impressed with Mr. Kobayashi. Chairman Quigley stated that she agrees, but that she really likes Mr. Groux's local connection. Selectman Jenkins stated that Mr. Groux felt like a one on one and that the other two felt like corporations. After further deliberation, Selectman Carlson stated that he would be comfortable with choosing Mr. Groux. Selectman Jenkins moved to hire Mr.Thomas Groux of Groux and Associates. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(3-0). Interim Town Manager, Stephen J. Lombard, said that he would set up a meeting with Mr. Groux for Monday. He added that the office has been receiving letters of interest to be on the Town Manager's Screening Committee. Selectmen—2.3.11-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 3, 2011 Water and Sewer Audit Discussion of Governance Recommendation—Chairman Quigley stated that they are going to postpone this discussion, but she feels it is important that the Board of Selectmen take leadership on it. She asked if it made sense for each Board and Commission to brainstorm and then get a consensus and perhaps hold a grand summit at the end. Selectman Jenkins stated he would like to get some input. Selectman Carlson stated that this is the beginning stages of the discussion, but that both the MMA and the Melanson/Heath auditors have made similar recommendations. Selectman Carlson stated that they would still want qualified volunteers to run for positions [Water and Sewer Commissioners] and such changes in governance will need to be made in the higher courts. Selectman Koed stated that he is having a disconnect and that this audit does not look at the whole problem. He does not see this as a governance issue but more of a systems issue. Selectman Carlson stated that part of the auditors charge was to make a recommendation. Selectman Koed asked who they interviewed. He stated that he was on both Boards [Selectmen and Water Commission and was not interviewed]. Selectman Koed would also like to see 'Town Hall'taken out [of the audit] as it is too broad a reference. Chairman Quigley stated that the use of'Town Hall', she feels is in relation to the Finance Department and the Town Manager. She added that it was her impression from attending the meetings that it was a matter of management and the decision making process. Selectman Koed stated that it seemed to him that there was a breakdown of communication and not enough support in one of the offices and asked why they are not focusing on that. Chairman Quigley stated that Mr. Lombard is working on that and you cannot say that this happened simply because of a breakdown of communication at Town Hall. She stated that there was a break down in the decision making process and she does not think you can point fingers to any one office;there was a break down in management,the culture and the way the Town is organized and this is why this type of recommendation has been given. Selectman Koed stated that his point is that they should have a final report,that does not just say Town Hall and he would like to know who was interviewed. Chairman Quigley stated that it was her understanding that they interviewed many people. Selectman Jenkins stated that he feels there should be a professional in between the Town and the two commissions as most towns have. He has more questions and feels it is jumping the gun to start the discussion now. Selectman Koed also feels that it is jumping the gun and wants to include the input from the Boards and Commissions. He added that for the auditor's report to have any integrity, it needs to say what part of Town Hall. Mr. Lombard stated that if you look at the last few pages of the auditor's report, it clearly indicates that there were issues in the Town Accountants office and that it was a confluence of things; monies misapplied and outdated software are also parts of the overall problem. Mr. Lombard stated that Commissioners are only available part of the time and that it has been his experience to have a Water/Sewer Superintendant in place to administer the contract. Mr. Lombard stated that since day one when he started he wondered why there was no one in place. He said that the changes won't happen overnight, but the Board does need to discuss the recommendation. Chairman Quigley stated that the people of the Town are looking to the Board to address these issues and to take it seriously. Selectmen's Comment Continued—Selectman Carlson moved to put the 2004 MMA report on the Town's website. Selectman Jenkins seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Selectman also stated that the Cable Advisory Committee would like to come in on February 151h and that they are looking toward a February completion date for the cable studio. Selectmen—2.3.11-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen February 3, 2011 Selectman Carlson moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Koed seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(4-0). Meeting adjourned at 9:10PM. Respectfully submitted, Karen Quigley Chairman Documents: Resume and Cover letter of Thomas Groux, Groux and Associates Resume and Cover letter of Richard Kobayashi of the Collins Center for Public Management Resume and Cover letter of Alan S. Gould, Municipal Resources Selectmen—2.3.11-JBO 3