2019-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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T 0 W M G 0 V IIE':IIR I T IIE':III' T TOWN MANAGER (continued) Highlights • Worked with the Police Department to hire ten new officers • Lexington residents identified a need for improved and through the Civil Service process. consistent communication from the Town and in FY19 • With the assistance of the Wellness Coordinator, continued Annual Town Meeting approved the hiring of a Public wellness workshops and the annual Wellness Day/Benefits Fair. Information Officer. The Public Information Officer is re- sponsible for a variety of tasks related to the coordination of Organizational Initiative s communication from the Town to residents. The position The Town's Senior Management Team (SMT) continues is also responsible for advising Town staff on best commu- to maintain the organization's collaborative culture to keep nication practices involving social media and traditional municipal programs and services functioning effectively. news outlets,media inquiries,and press releases. Organizational goals are established on an annual basis. • In June 2019,after two years,the Town Manager's Office said Accomplishments and project updates include: goodbye to Rajon Hudson and welcomed Katharine Labrecque • as the new Local Government Management Fellow.as long-term planning for physical development, including the interrelated areas of land use, transportation, • On August 27, 2018, The Town adopted the Lexington economic development,housing,open space and recreation, Sustainable Action Plan, which provides the Town with a natural resources,historic resources,and public facilities. framework for identifying and prioritizing the implemen- a Expanding public communication to develop a compre- tation of programs designed to improve the quality of life for Lexington residents and improve the Towns resilience hensive and coordinated plan for communicating with and to the effects of climate change. engaging the community. • In May 2019, the Town Manager appointed Derek • Promoting a culture of shared technology applications and Sencabaugh as the new Fire Chief following the retirement Practices, governed by sound organizational policies and of Chief John A. Wilson,who had served the community Procedures and oriented toward meeting both specific and for more than 34 years. general needs. • The Town celebrated ten years of hosting Lexington • Evaluating new revenue sources to support the budget, Citizens'Academy,recognizing more than 200 graduates of Particularly the capital budget. This included the review the program.Citizens'Academy is a free 10-week program of stormwater management and sidewalk betterments as that is designed to educate and expose residents to various options for new revenue sources. Town departments and municipal operations. • Identifying best practices and safety protocols in coordina- tion with building teams to recognize the specific physical Human Resources needs of each building and office, and developing consis- The Human Resources Department spent a significant tent,regular,ongoing training for staff. amount of time in FY19 bargaining with the Town's unions. • Aligning protocols and establishing a communication pol- The Town was able to reach settlements with the follow- icy as a collaborative effort to address mental health needs ing unions through FY19: Police Superiors Association, with municipal and school staff. This goal has been part of Lexington Police Association,AFSCME Local 1703 Building an ongoing conversation to improve and expand mental Custodians, SEIU Local 888 School Crossing Guards, health services in Lexington. Lexington Municipal Employees'Association,Cary Memorial . providing regular training and coaching opportunities Library Staff Association,AFSCME Public Safety Dispatchers, for employees, and continuing to develop young profes- and AFSCME Local 1703 Building Custodians. The Town is sionals, including middle managers, to prepare for greater currently negotiating with the following bargaining units for responsibility. successor collective bargaining agreements: AFSCME Local 1703 Public Works and IAFF Local 1491 Fire Department, • Continuing to create and expand new opportunities for Other accomplishments of the Human Resources property owners to attract future tenants and employees to Department in FY19 include: ensure the viability of the Hartwell Ave commercial district and to encourage commercial development that could help • Coordinated the Town's annual open enrollment and pro- ease the residential tax burden. cessed more than 120 changes to active and retired employ ees'health,dental,and life insurance coverage. Developing new new financial guidelines to plan for specific, large capital projects that enable the Town to consistently • Completed recruitment and on-boarding for 73 position va- stabilize the tax levy. cancies throughout the organization, including one senior management position, and completed benefits enrollment *The Public Information Officer position was developed and added to for approximately 60 new School Department employees. staff in FY19. 781 TOWN OF LEXINGTON 2019 ANNUAL REPORT