MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Friday, November 17, 2006 at 5:30 P.M.
Town Hall Hearing Room,
PRESENT: James Driscoll, Chairman, Board of Selectmen
(BOS);
Note: The meeting was delayed by approximately one hour and fifteen minutes due to the late arrival of J. Driscoll.
6:45 p.m. J. Driscoll opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
INTERVIEWS: SYSTEMS
GIS/WEB DESIGNER
Ryan Quimby, Information Technology Department, was also present for the interviews.
J. Driscoll apologized for his late arrival.
5:30 p.m. (6:45 p.m.)
John Laviolette.
J. Driscoll welcomed J. Laviolette. He asked J. Townshend if he had any questions. J. Townshend referred to the cover letter from J. Laviolette and brought up discussion about when was it that he met with R. Quimby with respect to when the position was posted. J. Driscoll clarified that the position is a temporary one; that it is similar to that of a consultant type of position and that those had not been posted in the past; that he knows of J. Laviolette’s work in website development; that he had
R. Quimby meet with him; that upon further discussion with the BOS and Town Counsel (TC) the position was posted to see what candidates were out there; that J. Laviolette was a top candidate based on the recommendations of R. Quimby and former Selectman DeLisle. J. Townshend indicated that he was concerned about whether or not it was fair that he met with R. Quimby before the ad was placed.
J. Driscoll asked how many websites he has been involved in developing; he replied all totaled about 15-20 and about 8 or 10 live sites. J. Driscoll asked if he had experience setting up revenue aspects and he replied yes, setting up store fronts, banner ads; that it was not far-fetched to do.
The interview concluded at this time with the BOS thanking him.
5:40 p.m. (7:00 p.m.) Mark Wojcik.
The BOS made introductions. J. Driscoll explained that there had been changes on the BOS since the interview Tuesday and that this was a chance for him to meet with the two finalists and for J. Townshend to ask any additional questions. J. Townshend did not have any questions, but commented that he was very impressed with M. Wojcik’s experience and background.
J. Driscoll asked how many websites has he been involved in
developing and M. Wojcik replied he had developed 2; one for a real estate
company in
Minutes, Board of Selectmen
November 17, 2006
Page 2 of 3
J. Driscoll asked if he was a consultant by choice; did he enjoy being one? Mr. Wojcik said
he does; that at times it is hard to tell the difference between a consultant and a full time employee; that he enjoyed the challenge of a new environment, the challenge of being forced to learn a different system.
J. Driscoll asked if he had any problem with being in a full time position? M. Wojcik replied that he did not have a problem with that, that he had been in a full time position before.
M. Wojcik was then asked if he had any more to say and he summarized that he has roughly 25 years in the field; he has spent a lot of time as a systems engineer; has worked the last 10 years as a consultant for large and small companies and that has prepared him for working in a lot of different environments; that he is a fast learner and appreciated the BOS’ time.
The interview concluded with the BOS thanking him.
J. Driscoll summarized the situation to date; that the town
is missing revenue generating opportunities with its website. He said that he believed both candidates are
very well qualified, but that the website development experience that J.
Laviolette has leads him to entertain a motion to offer employment to John
Laviolette. J. Townshend indicated that
he would not because he had known about the position before it was advertised;
that he had the opportunity to interview for the position prior to it being
advertised in the newspaper not once but twice.
The BOS members were in disagreement during their discussion, with J.
Driscoll making comments that the BOS asked him to interview this person prior
to the search; that J. Townshend was being fiscally irresponsible and was
making decisions based on political reasons; that one candidate has experience
building websites and the other does not.
J. Townshend commented that he thought it would be unethical to hire J.
Laviolette because he knew about the position; that he believes the IT
Committee should sit in on the process; that J. Driscoll was not at the first
set of interviews; that his recommendations from that meeting were for M.
Wojkcik first, Kate Hamilton, second, and J. Laviolette, third; that it was not
about political gain.
No decision was agreed upon and the matter was tabled.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OLD BUSINESS:
Set date for personnel evaluations (note: Personnel Policy Com. Meeting December 11.)
The ES to speak with BOS members re: availability.
Senior Center/Design Selection Committee.
Don Thompson, Senior Center Study Committee, met with the BOS. This discussion was taken out of order at 7:02 p.m. The discussion centered on whether to have a designer design the entire renovation project in detail right at the beginning, or whether to have a detailed design for the first phase, and more of an outline design for subsequent phases. The BOS consensus was to go with the detailed plans for phase one with the rest being identified, but not in detail.
Motion J. Townshend moved the Design Selection
Committee seek proposals that focus the detailed plans for the
Motion J. Townshend moved that the Design Selection
Committee can seek proposals for the
Minutes, Board of Selectmen
November 17, 2006
Page 3 of 3
Motion J. Townshend moved the Design Selection
Committee can recommend an Owner’s Project Manager for the
J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0.
Town Employees Association Grievance. Item moved to executive session.
NEW BUSINESS:
Selectman DeLisle’s
Resignation Letter.
J. Driscoll read the resignation letter submitted from Gary DeLisle. The resignation was effective 9:00 a.m. on November 16, 2006.
J. Driscoll commented that he was shocked and saddened by the resignation; that G. DeLisle provided quiet, effective leadership; that it was an honor to serve with him and Jack Claffey.
Motion J. Townshend moved the Board of Selectmen set a date for a special election to fill the vacant position. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Discussion: Thomas Florence, Town Clerk/Treasurer/Collector was recognized and provided the BOS with the details regarding the timing of the election and a proposed date of Tuesday, January 23, 2007.
J. Townshend amended the motion to include the date of Tuesday, January 23, 2007 as the election date. J. Driscoll seconded the amendment out of necessity. Discussion J. Townshend brought up the due date December 5, 2006 as the deadline for submittal of nomination papers for the special election; and that people can go to the Clerk’s Office to pick up nomination papers for the Annual town election in April. Motion carried as amended, 2-0.
Dog officer
Candidates: To consider for interviews.
The BOS held a brief discussion of which candidates to interview. The ES was directed to set up interviews for all nine candidates.
MEETINGS/INVITATIONS/REMINDERS
Public Safety Advisory Committee Meeting, Mon., Nov., 20, 2006 @ 6:30pm, East Longmeadow Police Station, 160 Somers Road.
Design Committee Meeting, Tues., Nov., 21, 2006 @ 1:00pm, Town Hall Hearing Room.
Appropriations Committee Meeting with Selectmen cancelled for Wed., Nov., 22. Proposed new date Wed., Nov., 29, 2006. The ES to confirm the date with the Town Accountant.
Housing Partnership Committee Meeting, Nov., 29, 2006 @ 7pm, Town Hall Hearing Room.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS enter into executive session to return to open session for purposes of adjournment. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. A roll call vote was taken, (Townshend, “Yes”; Driscoll, “Yes”.) Motion carried 2-0.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS adjourn the meeting. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, TUESDAY,
JANUARY 30, 2007.