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E , Minutes for the Meeting of November 22, 1993 101 10mb sponded that if the Board decides to keep the position within Civil i Service, it would be the Town Manager's decision to keep the position promotional, from within the ranks. More discussion followed on the procedure of the appointment of a new chief. Questions were asked on the role of the assessment center in the process. Mr. White reported that the assessment center would have to be approved and sanctioned by civil Service, and he would use a panel of experts to give feedback. He indicated that whether or not the position remains in Civil Service, the recruitment process would include assessment center. Questions and comments from the Board included whether the assessment center would be entirely subjective as opposed to a written test. Mr. white indicated the assessment center includes measurable oral and /or written exercises and responses which can be graded. An issue for Board is what procedures are used in recruiting the next Chief. In one case, the Town would be required to conform to Civil Service standards. In the other, the Town would use sound recruiting processes that are used in any critical recruitment like a Police Chief. Questions to Mr. White about the function of the panel of ex- perts. Mr. white responded that they would be used as an assessment tool, grading and evaluating candidates, and would be appointed by him in consultation with the consultants and the Division of Personnel Administration if the position remains in Civil Service. If the position is taken out of Civil Service, it will require action by Town Meeting to amend the Town Manager Act and action by the Great and General Court. When the Board decides on the Civil Service issue, Mr. White will come back to the Board with specifics about the assessment center. Question ensued about taking the appointment out of Civil Ser- vice, which would mean not being bound by veterans' preference; the Town can have control of tenure; and through a contract, protect the independence of Police Chief, separating politics from administration; and can set own minimum standards which would exceed Civil Service standards. Mr. White noted that right now minimum standards include no educational requirements and five years of administration for supervisory experience is the minimum qualification. Much discussion ensued on the advantages and disadvantages of Civil Service: the advantage of flexibility for the Town to set its own criteria outside Civil Service; political interference not being an issue for Lexington in the recent past; protecting the chief from political interference; and recognizing the chief must be accountable to the Town. Mr. white reminded the Board of the Ad Hoc Committee's problem with Civil Service protection which was described as lifetime tenure; and that the model contract the committee developed included criteria for continuing employment with a renewal process; the chief would be protected yet the Town would have accountability. Reference was made to the recommendation of the committee that Town Manager Act needs to be amended by Town Meeting to allow vote of majority of Board to remove a chief from office and also requires additional legislation on the state level. Mrs. Eddison summarized that the direction that the report is leading the Board in is the way the Town should go unless there is a major rewriting of the Civil Service requirements by the State. She asked that the Board revisit the report of the Commit- tee in a year so that the Board can examine the question of withdrawal from the Civil Service at a time when the Town is not filling a