Westport News

Members present:        Steven J. Ouellette, Chairman  
                                 David P. Dionne, Vice Chairman   
                                 Veronica F. Beaulieu
                                 J. Duncan Albert
                                 Robert P. Rebello, Clerk

Also present:            Charlene R. Wood, Town Administrator

Chairman Ouellette called the Board of Selectmen meeting to order at 4:13 p.m. in the Westport Town Hall, 816 Main Road, Westport, MA with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Request for Continued Hearing
Motion made by Mr. Rebello to continue the public hearing for Titan Propane, LLC to December 18, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. on the application request for an above ground storage tank for liquid propane.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu. The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Town Administrator Position Interviews
4:30 p.m.
Michael A. Gallerani was the first candidate to be interviewed. (see attached resume)
Mr. Gallerani stated that he was a lifelong resident of Plymouth.  Mr. Gallerani began his career in 1988; and possesses a BA in Community Planning/Management from the University of Mass – Boston Certificate for Economic Development from the University of Oklahoma/EDI. Mr. Gallerani stated that he has a passion for local government.  Mr. Gallerani described his style of management as both inclusive and transparent; he works with the staff to accomplish projects and he feels that elected officials should be kept appraised of the daily tasks; he is very goal driven and very accountable.  Mr. Gallerani’s major achievement has been in working with FEMA.  Mr. Gallerani felt that the best way to deal with an angry constituent is to sit down, address the difference and keep it out of the public view. Mr. Gallerani has been on both sides of collective bargaining such as Union and Non-Union, except in dealing with the School Department; getting a ‘yes’ on the table a.s.a.p. is very important.  Mr. Gallerani has dealt  with the press for a long time and has no problem in doing so.  In dealing with employee matters, ADA complaints and grievances, Mr. Gallerani stated that if it is an ADA matter, resolve it; grievances can be resolved due to contracts that are enacted; and in personnel matters, Mr. Gallerani believes that employers have an obligation to know their employees in order to deal with them.  Mr. Gallerani said that his weakness is that he believes that everyone is trying to achieve the same goal and are heading in the same direction; while his strength is based on his weakness.  Mr. Gallerani stated through his experience in Municipal Government, he was responsible for 20+ budgets and not once has he had to go back for additional appropriations.  Mr. Gallerani said that the amount of involvement of a Town Administrator will depend on what the Selectmen want, whether it to be a voice or an advisor.  Mr. Gallerani felt that a Town Administrator should be involved with the staff and day to day operations but keep a respect for the chain of command.  Mr. Gallerani said that he has worked with Town Counsel on reviewing contracts, policies and warrants but has never had to deal with litigation issues.  Mr. Gallerani stated that in dealing with all the diversity regarding economic development in this Town, the best way would be to begin talking and getting everybody on the same page and then getting everybody to the table, which would include the Planning Department and any planning groups.  Mr. Gallerani said that in dealing with Special Interest Groups, inviting them in and finding out whether they are wrong or right is the best step.  If they are right, act upon it and if they are wrong, explain what is wrong and discuss the corrective action.  Mr. Gallerani stated that he does whatever is needed to get the job done and he fully understands the chain of command.  As far as relocating, Mr. Gallerani said that he was flexible.  Mr. Gallerani said that he enjoys successes and understands failures and has come to appreciate them; he is compassionate to those who work with him; he is very honest and direct; he has a vision of transparency in government; he understands how to deal with the media and problem employees.  Mr. Gallerani said that he was very professional in his approach.  Mr. Gallerani said that for government to be good, you must educate the public to the importance of reading the material involved with Town Meetings, open discussions and fixing bad items when they are made.  Mr. Gallerani stated that he is somewhat limited in experience with energy conservation and energy issues but is open to new ideas that would make the environment sound.  Mr. Gallerani was procurement officer for Plymouth and has sat on the Board of Directors; he is familiar with the laws of procurement.  Mr. Gallerani said that in applying for grants, be open and ready for rejection but always keep looking.  Mr. Gallerani said that he can coordinate an emergency response due to his extensive training with FEMA.  Mr. Gallerani stated that if hired, he could start immediately and give 100 percent plus, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Interview concluded at 5:23 p.m.

5:26 p.m.
Chawner Hurd was the second candidate to be interviewed. (see attached resume)
Mr. Hurd reviewed his background, along with stating that he was a selectmen for three years in the Town of Lakeville.  Mr. Hurd said that he likes looking at long range planning and developing those plans. Mr. Hurd approaches problems and solves them.  Presently, he is a partner with a company located in New Bedford.  Mr. Hurd felt that this would be a great town and a great opportunity for himself.  Mr. Hurd has dealt with the ideas of a five-member select board, a charter, has wrote job descriptions and developed a Town Administrator position.  Mr. Hurd stated that his management style was hands-on; and he has dealt with both a small and large staff.  Mr. Hurd said that he likes to retain oversight but don’t like to lose time and productivity; he is not afraid to tell the staff that they are under performing.  Mr. Hurd said that he has always received good reviews from his staff and employers. Mr. Hurd stated that he knew he had what the Town of Westport is looking for in an Administrator because he helped put a Town Administrator position together in Lakeville.  Mr. Hurd said that he felt a Town Administrator should know everything inside and out; the Board of Selectmen should lead and the Town Administrator should have all the answers.  Mr. Hurd said that he is very experienced in municipal finance; he was actively involved in the annual budgeting process and has dealt with bonds, forecasting and tracking budgets, as well as being a quick study in computers.  Mr. Hurd stated that his preference in a Town Administrator is one who is involved in different elements than the Board of Selectmen; he felt it was the Town Administrator’s job to educate the public on different matters and to be involved in those matters.  When asked of his ability to work with others, such as a team approach, Mr. Hurd stated that it all depended on the project; sometimes it is counter productive to have too many people involved on certain issues. Sometimes, if it something new, Mr. Hurd said that he has a tendency to look over someone’s shoulder. Mr. Hurd said that in collective bargaining, the Board of Selectmen usually take the lead, but he has dealt with Town Counsel and negotiations and understands that all the details need to be understood, especially in dealing with contracts.  Mr. Hurd said that he has first hand experience on both sides of economic development.  Mr. Hurd said that he understood that the Town of Westport still needed water and sewerage on Route 6; Route 44 is experiencing the same problems.  Mr. Hurd said that he would need to see the proposals to see if there was a way to make the area work; potential tax dollars from commercial would be a relief for the Town and one of the best approaches would be a site plan review. Mr. Hurd said that his greatest accomplishment was consolidating departments within a town to save money and achieve efficiency; while his least-to-be-proud-of experience was a painful investigation into the Police Department, which went on too long due to inexperience in this type of matter.  Mr. Hurd stated that he has no problem in dealing with the Press; he has been dealing with the press since Curry College and is very comfortable and available to them; the press is also very valuable in helping to educate the public.  Mr. Hurd said that he has no problem with the hours of work because to him, the Town Administrator’s job is a 24/7 operation.  Mr. Hurd said that he lives only 30 minutes away, although if he were hired, he would be looking for local and long-term accommodations. Mr. Hurd stated that he has dealt with RFP’s consistently, along with Chapter 30b Procurement Laws; and he is constantly searching for grants. When asked what sets him apart from the other candidates, Mr. Hurd replied that his references if checked, would show he is a hard worker and willing to roll up his sleeves and jump right in.  Mr. Hurd felt that with funding being cut over the last few years, level funding was necessary.  Mr. Hurd felt that pushing the best possible planning and housing would put more money into budgets, while unfunded mandates and less financial aid to towns, eventually without a change, would cause a spiral to Proposition 2 ½.  Mr. Hurd stated that he has gone over the current budget, and he saw no drastic cuts that could be made and that the State gave a little extra aid.  Mr. Hurd then concluded by saying that he may or may not look good on paper, but he has experience in the background of what a Town Administrator should be.
The interview concluded at 6:12 p.m.

Marc R. Rousseau was the third candidate to be interviewed. (see attached resume)
Mr. Rousseau stated that he has 23 years of experience in local government.  Mr. Rousseau has worked with the Planning Department and looks at the Town Administrator position as a career opportunity.  Mr. Rousseau said that his management style is accomplished by looking at the personnel and his peers as equals and attempting to put forth a team effort.  Mr. Rousseau said that his greatest accomplishment in Easton was developing Flexible By-laws, land uses and the development of a tax base.  In dealing with an angry constituent, Mr. Rousseau said that you really need to listen and the customer is always right type of approach and try to keep in mind that service is very important.  Mr. Rousseau stated that one of his weaknesses is experience in negotiations; but he has drafted and developed Personnel Rules and By-laws. One of the hardest tasks Mr. Rousseau has had to do is to let someone go; he has had to reprimand and write up personnel.  Mr. Rousseau said that it feels better to work in a group, rather than alone, and he believes in the team concept.  Mr. Rousseau stated that in dealing with municipal finance and budgeting, you need to look at the growth of the Town, and if need be, crunch budgets.  Mr. Rousseau stated that he would look into creativity for the Town, conduct internships with students, look for grant monies and create quasi-boards; also looking at 40R’s is another careful move, along with making changes to the Town’s bylaws.  Mr. Rousseau stated that he has experience in drafting and reviewing town warrants with Town Counsel.  Mr. Rousseau said that he likes the idea of monthly department head meetings and would like to hold sabbaticals with the different departments; the use of software to make information available between different departments was a very helpful tool along with a good GIS package. When asked what sets him apart from the other candidates, Mr. Rousseau replied his work ethic, commitment and loyalty.  Mr. Rousseau stated that the Town Administrator position needs a commitment of at least 3 to 5 years to accomplish anything; he said that he has learned a lot from people while working in Easton and he feels that his skills can be used more comprehensively in the Town of Westport.  Mr. Rousseau said that he understands that the hours will be long.  Mr. Rousseau said that he has never had to deal with any hurricane situations, but has helped out during snowstorms and is familiar with FEMA and MEMA.  Mr. Rousseau also said that he has substantial experience in development and conservation matters.
The interview concluded at 6:40 p.m.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to adjourn the Board of Selectmen meeting at 6:42 p.m.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Adjournment.
Respectfully submitted,

Diane Pelland, Confidential Clerk
to the Board of Selectmen


APPROVED:                            
Robert P. Rebello, Clerk