The hunt is on for a new Town Administrator. The Search Committee consists of Sewer Committee Chair Elaine Fiore, former Selectman Olly DeMacedo, FinCom member Jason Lelio, Selectman Sandy MacFarlane, and School Superintendent John Tuffy. There were 20 applicants for the position and by the end of their first meeting that number was carved down to eight. Actual interviews began on the evening of March 2 when three applicants were heard. They will hear three more on March 9, and two more a few nights later. The Committee has reserved the right to ask one or two back for a second interview before submitting no more than five names to the full Board of Selectmen...
The hunt is on for a new Town Administrator. The Search Committee consists of Sewer Committee Chair Elaine Fiore, former Selectman Olly DeMacedo, FinCom member Jason Lelio, Selectman Sandy MacFarlane, and School Superintendent John Tuffy. There were 20 applicants for the position and by the end of their first meeting that number was carved down to eight. Actual interviews began on the evening of March 2 when three applicants were heard. They will hear three more on March 9, and two more a few nights later. The Committee has reserved the right to ask one or two back for a second interview before submitting no more than five names to the full Board of Selectmen.
The interviews of the first three candidates were held in open session and we were in attendance. There was some discussion as to the ability to conduct the interviews in public but in the end; there was no motion to go into Executive Session.
Most of the time, screening of candidates is done in private. When a list of finalists is established the interview process must, by law, be open. Naturally candidates who are troubled by the open process can always solve the problem by removing their names. In this particular instance the Selectmen wanted the preliminary process to be done in private in order to respect the privacy of the candidates at an early stage. When it was learned that the Observer was present Interim Town Administrator was greatly concerned and gave us a call. We discussed the matter and Healey cited a statute that addressed the ability to hold such screenings in private. He was also expecting, and did receive an opinion from Town Counsel that reiterated the claim. In the meantime, we spoke with a reliable informed source that pointed out that there is case law on this very subject as a result of occurrences in the Town of Hanson several years ago. The court found that a Screening Committee may conduct any stage of its search in open session…it’s a call made by the Committee. Because the case law trumps the statute, the Committee had every right to do what they did and we had every right to sit through it all; which is what we did. We heard the interviews, received resumes and spoke with each individual in the hall after each interview.
So, what is the bottom line? Notwithstanding our right to report on the evening’s events, we have decided to not cover it. We will not reveal the names of those interviewed nor will we name the remaining five yet to be interviewed. In deference to the Selectmen’s charge to the Search Committee that it be confidential, we will respect their mandate. It is our hope that our actions allow the remainder of the process to be in keeping with confidentiality until the point the Selectmen interview the 3-5 finalists. This should allow the process to continue, allow for a speedier decision and serve in a manner that is best for the citizenry.
Finally, we can say this: If the caliber of applicants is consistent with what we witnessed last week, we should emerge with a top rate professional to replace Kevin Donovan. We should also state that Jack Healey is a personable guy who is honestly trying to maintain the professionalism of the office, and is not a candidate for the full position. Wisely on Paul Gallagher’s part, neither is he.
With only a day to go for pulling papers for political office, retired police officer Richard Arruda decided to return to politics and more pointedly, the office of Selectman. Arruda told the Observer that he served for six years as an elected member of the Health Board many years ago and would like to now return to public service.
Sewer Commissioner Elaine Fiore has also set her sites on one of the two seats open on the Board of Selectmen. Norman Harbinson has also pulled papers but we believe he will choose not to run this year. The two incumbents, Mark Beaton and Jean Landis-Naumann are also seeking to retain their positions. It should make for an interesting race with 4-5 people battling for the two seats.
Scott Milbert, a 40 year old electrical engineer has decided to run for a seat on the Kingston Elementary School Committee. As time passes we will learn of his recent interest in politics. We wish him well, especially during these tough financial times.
Philip Ricardi is seeking a planning Board seat. Philip, we learn is listed as the Treasurer and listed as a manager of what appears to be the ill fated Plymouth River Eels semi pro ball club venture in Plymouth in which Tom O’Brien serves as CEO. It appears that he also owns a company called Strategic Design & Construction, Inc. We tried to learn more about the company but it did not show as a corporation on the Secretary of States web site. We will certainly be looking for more about this fellow. Ron Gleason also has his name in for the same five year seat. Our guess is that Ron will bow out…he hates the politics one must endure. Whoever runs or wins…Lloyd Geisinger will be clapping.
Another interesting entry to the pot is Tom Taylor running for Sewer Commission. Tom you may recall owned a fish market here on Summer Street and ran the Beach Hut at Gray’s Beach. He would oppose incumbent Sean Walsh. (See separate item re: Taylor on this page.)
Andrew MacInnis will be running for an Assessor’s seat against appointee Nancy Shea. MacInnis is a title examiner and his spouse is a realtor. You gotta wonder about any potential conflicts that could create. We hear Andy is a nice guy so you hate to see a nice guy venture into quicksand.
Other prospects of interest are Ken Moalli running against Fran Botelho-Hoeg for moderator, no race for Water Commission, Board of Health or Regional School Committee.
Usually the last day of pulling papers is uneventful…that was not the case this year. Thursday, March 5 was the last day that potential candidates for office had to receive nomination papers. Two surprises occurred that day. Dan King pulled papers for Assessor which would create a three way race for the single seat. King, the Reverend of the Unitarian Church may well be the first office seeker in that position in recent memory. Also, Norman Harbinson decided in favor of a Planning Board run instead of looking toward a Selectman’s seat. That decision, in some measure, may have been prompted by the emergence of Richard Arruda as a candidate for Selectman. Arruda, who retired from the Police Department last year, had, in the past , served for six years as a member of the Board of Health. This know brings to four the number of people seeking two three year terms. And now…let the races begin…
Remember the story about Shawn O’Donnell offering a better deal for MBTA parking after the T doubled their rate to $80 a month. Shawn offered the same service directly across the street for $50 a month. Sweet! But then, all the publicity caught the attention of the Building Inspector and the Town Planner. It was, after all in violation of Town By-Laws and local and state regulations. Armstrong sent Shawn a letter back on December 16 laying out the steps that were required to bring such a parking lot into conformance; the major issue is that it must be paved and drainage concerns must be met. Shawn is doing quite well with his enterprise, and while we admire his enterprising spirit, he must comply with the law. What Armstrong sent O’Donnell was a non-criminal 21-D ticket naming the four violations and fining him $50. You gotta get a kick out of the fine…$50...the cost of a single car parking in the lot for a month. If this is all that Paul does the fine becomes cost effective. The ticket should certainly get Shawn’s attention and may get him moving in the direction of compliance. If the ticket is all that Paul does then the matter becomes a joke. The latter begins: "You were notified several months ago of the need to file a site plan with the town, receive approval and construct your parking lot in accordance with town and state regulations. You have failed to address the set filing deadlines, to file the required plans or comply with applicable rules and regulations."
Now the question is, how long will this cat and mouse game continue. Fines on violations are generally done in consideration that each day constitutes a violation…further, there are four different violations listed. A worst case scenario could involve fines of $50 X 4 = $200 a day or $1,400 a week adding up to $5,600 a month or the cost of 112 cars. That would get anyone’s attention…except, perhaps, in Tombstone.
Remember what a great meal you could get at the Beach Hut at Grays Beach? Well, all that is in deep jeopardy. Tom and Pam Taylor had run the stand for the past six years. The way it works is that the Recreation Department advertises the opportunity to run the operation during the three summer months. The Taylors have become a well liked fixture during these years. The cost was $100 a month or $300. It was never bid as a moneymaker but rather a service to those who enjoy the beach. Last month the Tayors received notice that the fee was going to be $500 a month or $1,500 and the Rec folks wanted it all up front. Taylor also pays the greater portion of the electric bill, pays for the propane to fire his grills and maintains the bathroom facilities. During the early years of the contract they were forced to not open one year and couldn’t start until July 25 of another year because beach renovations were not completed on time. On other occasions of inclement weather the Hut must remain closed. When Tom received his contract for this summer he saw that the fees went up 500%. That was the final straw, especially considering that the beach proper was slowly falling into disrepair. "Because we were there every day we’re the ones who heard the complaints." So, with a degree of sadness, Tom pulled out all of the equipment, all of which is owned by the Taylors; the place is now bare except for a refrigerator that he gave to the town. By the way, nobody else bid on the contract under the new terms and it appears that the Commission is or has already put out a new bid…with a lowered price. One thing is certain…you won’t get a better fish & chips than when Pam and Tom Taylor put their heart into making Grays a better place to be.
Dear Town Administrator:
I would like to comment, not relative to the proposal, but to the manner in which this proposal has been resurrected by Selectman Mark Beaton.
As the leading architect of this proposal resurfacing, Mr. Beaton, in my opinion, is operating outside the parameters of the law in that his brother, a direct blood relative, is an employee of P.A. Landers. Although Mr. Beaton has acknowledged this fact he takes the position that his brother is only an "hourly" employee. I would state that whether his brother is paid hourly or salaried is not the issue. Beaton’s brother, irrespective of his pay status, has been an employee of Landers for a significant number of years sufficient to bar Mark from participation on this issue. The fact that Beaton is the driving force behind this initiative further sullies the process. In my opinion the relat ionship is such that a disclosure does not absolve Mark from the Conflict of Interest laws and places himself and the Town in jeopardy.
If Mr. Beaton wishes to protect the interests of both himself and the Town, It would behoove him to seek a written opinion from the State Ethics Commission explaining his involvement and his brother’s relationship with the company. In order to secure such an opinion, he would be required to lay out all the facts of his participation, also in writing. Once the disclosure letter and the response letter is in place, Beaton should release the findings publicly.
The last time Mr. Beaton spearheaded a drive it resulted in a Chapter 40R 730 unit housing plan bearing the name 1021 Kingston’s Place, authored by Mr, Beaton. The only real movement in that project was the filing of a 4-B development filed by the same developer. Once again Beaton has a new vision which is not an organic Town initiative, but a proposal from a developer who has found a willing sponsor.
Thank you for this opportunity to respond and have this e-mail included with any others you may receive. I submit these comments as a private citizen.
Thank you,
Daniel Sapir
241 Main Street
March 6, 2009