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TOWN MANAGER SEARCH COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 2004
The meeting of the Town Manager Search Committee was called to order at 5:35 PM on Wednesday, December 1,
2004 at the Town Office Building, Lexington, MA by committee chair Janet Perry.
Attendees
: Search Committee members Janet Perry, Scott Wilson, Barrie Peltz, Don Marquis, Richard Pagett, Bill
Kennedy, Bebe Fallick, Bill Middlemiss, Olga Guttag, Cathy Abbott, Henry Liu. Finance committees’ liaisons
Deborah Brown (Appropriation) and Shirley Stolz (Capital Expenditures). Tom Groux, Consultant.
minutes
1. On a motion (Ms. Guttag) and second, theof the meeting of November 18, 2004 were
APPROVED.
2. Ms. Perry reported that she had not yet received a reply to her inquiries to the Middlesex District
further clarification on the confidentiality issue with regard to the Open Meeting
Attorney’s office regarding
Law
.
draft profile of Lexington
3, 4. Mr. Groux and the committee members had an extensive discussion of the and
ideal candidate qualities
. Mr. Groux stressed the importance of a profile as a recruiting tool.
Committee members sought a more positive tone, especially related to the Town’s financial health and
override passage record, in describing concerns raised during the last bond rating process. (Lexington retains its
Aaa rating.) The realities of a manager’s exposure to political pressures led members to seek language that is
realistic but will not discourage capable creative applocants. It was agreed that “this is a position for a seasoned
professional.” A clear statement of Board of Selectmen responsibility for policy in a collaborative effort with the
manager was sought. The importance of community values should also be included.
Mr. Pagett and Mr. Kennedy clarified several questions about the Selectmen’s criteria. Proximity, rather
than residency in Lexington, is sufficient. Compensation should remain a matter of negotiation, but should be
competitive with neighboring communities. Clarification of the level of Town and personal participation in
retirement plans and deferred compensation will be sought. In response to a question about Mr. White’s departure,
Mr. Pagett, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Groux stressed the history of stability in the Town Manager’s office.
Committee members gratefully accepted the offer of Ms. Peltz and Ms. Guttag to produce a draft profile for
comment. Suggestions should be emailed to them in the next day or two.
job description
5. The was accepted as presented. Print ads appeared beginning November 30, 2004. Ads
have been carried on websites for ten days. Mr. Groux has received seven applications. All inquiries to date have
been from within Massachusetts. In January 2005, Mr. Groux will attend the Massachusetts Municipal Association
conference, a prime networking opportunity.
next meeting
6, 7. The of the Search Committee will be Wednesday, December 8, from 5:30-7 PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Abbott
Recorder for the Committee