Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1963-01-26-min 129 SELECTMENtS MEETING January 26, 1963 A special meeting of theboard of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Saturday morning, January 26, 1963, at 9:15 A.M. Chair- man Adams, Messrs . Cole, Richards, Burnell and Brown were present . Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, was also present. Mr. William A. Sommers, Somerset, New Jersey, appli- cant for the position of Executive Assistant, met with the Board. The Chairman explained that there had been an in- cumbent who left and the Board now has the position to fill. He said one thing that bothered the Executive Executive Assistant was the lack of legal authority, the paaiti7 Assistant tion being all delegated authority from the Board. He stated that as soon as he left, several things have come up and it is a much clearer position than it was before He said that Mr. Evans has set up a salary schedule and the Executive Assistant would have to be a man who knew some- thing about personnel and management. He would have to handle this and there would be a certain amount of super- vision of other departments. He explained that some departments are directly under the Board, others, such as the Collector, Treasurer and Clerk, are not under the Board and there has to be some sort of supervision and an attempt made to correlate authority. He said there would kiso have to bea continuous check on the budget expenditures and the board wants to institute some form of simplified purchase supervision. Mr. Sommers said he would like to know the circum- stances of hiring, the wages and what the circumstances of work as outlined. He asked if the hiring would be at the pb asure of the Board. The Chairman replied in the affirmative and said the Board would be hiring him as its agent . He said there is much detail that the Board should not have to handle. He explained that there is a Superintendent of Public Works and briefly outlined his department. Mr. Sommers asked if theduties of the position would be set up in some form. The Chairman said he thought the Board should have it in writing, at least have a memo of what it is work- ing on. Mr. Sommers asked if the Executive Assistant would 1:0 .- G. attend all the meetings of the Board and asked about the relationship with the sciools, library and other departments. The Chairman explained that the School Department is separate and the library comes under the Library Trustees. He also explained the operation of the Police and Fire Departments. He said there would be no engineering problems as these would come under the Engineering Department . The Chairman stated that the Town is by and large nonpolitical and explained the makeup of the Board end the terms of its members . Mr. Sommers asked about the salary and the Chairman asked what he had been working for. Mr. Sommers replied that in Franklin he was getting $11,000 and when he took the position at Bensalem, it was $15,000. The Chairman said the Board has set up a ataxy between $8,910 to #10,530. The Chairman asked if Mr. Sommers was in effect Town Manager, and he replied in the affirmative. He said he has never been anything but a first manager and could not come for the money available. The Chairman asked if he would want $11,000, and he replied that he would want $12,000 or S13,000. The Chairman said the Board would take his appli- cation under consideration. He asked if Mr. Sommers was available, and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. Somers said he assumed the Town would take care of the cost of the moving expenses . The Chairman said this is something new to the Board and a policy has not been established. Mr. Sommers asked if the Executive Secretary would have to live in Lexington and the Chairman replied in the negative. He said he should live close enough to be available. The Chairman asked if Mr. Sommers had experience in centralized purchasing and he replied in the affirma- tive and said he had four years ' experience as personnel director. He also spent a considerable amount of time in property management. The Chairman told Mr. Sommers to send the Board a bill for his transportation and expenses and said the Board would let him know its decision. Mr. Sommers retired at 9:55 A.M. Mr. John H. Harding, Weston, met with the Board, Executive relative to the position of Executive Assistant. Assistant Mr. Harding said he did not know much about what it is the Board wants . II The Chairman asked his age and he replied 58. The Chairman explained this is a new position, and the previous incumbent left for another position. He explained that when he came here, the position was not set up. He said, however, since that time it has become apparent there are several fields the Board wants covered. He said there is a new salary and wage schedule and the Board wants someone familiar with per- sonnel to follow it up and see that it works. The Board wants general supervision and coordination of the various departments. He explained that the Public Works Department has water, sewer, etc. , and is operated by one department head with a foreman. There are other departments some directly under the Board andsome not under the Board at all. He said the Board wants some coordination and it will take tact. He explained that the Board also wants to start a centralized purchasing system. Mr. Harding said it was through Mr . Carter, Execu- tive Secretary in Weston, that he heard about this posi- tion, and he thought he was well qualified. He said he was formerly a partner in the firm of Harding, Harding and Buchanan. The Chairman explained that an engineering background is not necessary. He asked if Mr. Harding had any ex- perience with land acquisition, and he replied in the affirmative. The Chairman explained that work has been done by Town Counsel which is not the proper place for it. Mr. Richards asked if Mr. Harding had experience with personnel, and he replied in the affirmative, stating that he did all the interviewing. Mr. Richards asked how many employees he had and he replied 125. He explained the work was public buildings, schools, hospitals, highways, water supply and sewer systems. Mr. Harding asked if this position would require that the individual appointed live in Lexington, and the Chairman replied in the negative. The Chairman asked if Mr. Harding would be immediately available, and he replied in the affirmative. He said he is trying to sell his house. The Chairman stated that the salary range is $8,910.00 to $10,530.00. The Chairman explained that this is a position re- quiring firmness but because of the political setup, it will require tact. Mr. Harding said he thought he could handle it very well. 132 1E C- The Chairman explained that the Executive Assistant has no legal standing at all. Mr. Harding said he would report directly to the Board, and the Chairman explained he would be the Board' s agent . He said the Board would probably have a written memorandum of the duties. Mr. Harding asked if the Board would let him know its decision, and the Chairman replied that the Board has to make up its mind. Mr. Harding asked if he would be advised within a week, and the Chairman replied in the affirmative. Mr. Harding retired at 10:05 A.M. Mr. John Carnoll met with the Board and further discussion was held relative to the items in the Recre- ation budget . It was agreed to eliminate the Soccer program and have the budget refigured and Mr. Carroll was asked to Recreation obtain more infcrmation on the Estabrook facilities for budget the next regular meeting, Tuesday. Mr. Carroll was also requested to o tain a plan for the development of the Harrington School land. Mr. Carroll retired at 11:20 A.M. Mr. Charles M. Evans met with the Board. The Fire Department Personal Services budgets were discussed further and the Chairman reported that the Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners said they Fire Depart- would go along without the two new men. went budget Mr. Richards said if the schedule, as proposed, goes through, the Board should adopt a policy no employees being hired without approval of the Board of Selectmen. The Law Department budget was held over until the next regular meeting cf the Board. Mr. Evans was authorized to check the rates and extensions of all Personal Services budgets. Further consideration was given to the Board of Appeals Personal Services budget. Board of Mr. Evans reported that the budget, as submitted, Appeals ' is based on the maximum of S-5 at $2.22 an hour. His budget recommendation is S-3, $2.05 an hour. Mr. Richards said the Board had already agreed on S-3, $2.05, and it was the opinion of theBcard that the Chairman should so advise Mr. Nickerson, Chairman of the Board of Appeals. The meeting adjourned at 12:05 P.M. A true record, Attest: e tive( lerk(, Select7a