Blandford residents vote on whether to keep a town administrator at the Annual Town Meeting Monday evening.
BLANDFORD – The annual town meeting vote on whether to reduce the pay of the new Town Administrator Angeline Ellison to $1 for 2018, effectively eliminating the position, came relatively early in the evening. Moderator David B. Hopson asked for a motion on the question, which was brought forward by a Citizen’s Petition, with the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee recommending taking no action.
Resident Tony vanWerkhooven came forward to say that he had signed the petition. He said that he had been involved in the town as a volunteer for 20 years, and while on the Finance Committee supported hiring a town administrator. He went on to say that he and others were disappointed in Ellison’s performance on the job.
VanWerkhooven said that Ellison had been disruptive and destructive, causing several volunteers and staff to leave their positions. He asked that residents support the article, and that the vote be taken by secret ballot.
Resident T.J. Cousineau spoke next, saying a lot of the initial problems with the hiring of the town administrator were due to the failure of the Board of Selectmen to introduce her to different departments, and speak to the volunteers and staff about the changes that would be taking place.
“We need the town administrator,” Cousineau said.
At that point, former fire chief Tom Ackley made a motion to postpone the vote on the article indefinitely, which was seconded. Hopson then continued the discussion, explaining that it would end with the vote on the motion to postpone indefinitely.
Resident Dick Allen said he was against the $1 salary for several reasons. He said there had been no formal written complaints made against Ellison. He also said that elected and appointed individuals did not come under the town administrator. He also said that she had been hired with the authority of a vote at the Town Meeting, and by the Board of Selectmen, two out of three of whom gave her a positive performance review.
“Make your vote based on truth, not on gossip. You’re being misled. To use this as a way to get rid of the town administrator cripples us for the next year,” Allen said.
Adam Dolby, chair of the Board of Selectmen, said it was important to point out that they had made significant progress in all areas of the town this year. He also said that if the town took this approach for personnel matters, it would hamstring town officials.
“It’s really hard as an employee when your boss can only meet three hours on a Monday night. If you return control to the Board of Selectmen, we can’t talk with each other except in open meeting once a week,” Dolby said.
“I’ve been working with the town administrator since she began, and she’s doing an excellent job,” said selectman Bill Levakis. “We can’t go back to letting people do what they want. We have to work as a team now, we can’t work as separate departments,” he said.
A request from the floor to hear from the selectman who did not give a positive review to Ellison brought a statement from Andy Montanaro. “Angie and I have different management styles. I don’t believe that’s going to change. I’m going to leave it to you to decide,” Montanaro said.
Another resident questioned whether mistakes had been corrected, and what would be different going forward. Dolby said Ellison holds regular staff meetings, which have been expanded to be more inclusive of different personnel. Dolby also said that due to staff changes, the town is attracting new talent, and has ended up being as strong if not stronger.
Resident Edna Wilander, who also signed the petition to eliminate the position, said she resented the way that some employees had been treated. “I’ve been an employee all my life, and don’t mind taking direction,” Wilander, who had been serving in a volunteer capacity for the town, said. “The person giving direction did not understand her job. I know there’s a learning curve, but suggestions were immediately rejected,” she said.
The vote on the motion to postpone was moved, and residents lined up to vote by secret ballot. In the end, the motion to postpone the vote indefinitely passed 72 to 30, preserving the position of town administrator.
Later in the meeting, Levakis voted to amend the part-time salary for the town administrator in the budget from $40,000 to $60,000. He said Ellison has been working very hard, more than the 22 hours she was hired to work.
Many residents questioned the amendment, asking whether that would make Ellison a full-time employee, or increase her hours, and by how much.
VanWerkhooven said that the Chester town administrator is paid $37,000 for 22 hours. “I don’t see a small town needing a full-time town administrator to manage what’s going on here,” he said.
Finance Committee chair Jeffrey Bacon asked Levakis why he had not raised this issue at the mini-town meeting last Monday. Levakis said he hadn’t had the time to make a presentation to the Finance Committee for that meeting.
Dolby said approval of the motion would allow the Board of Selectmen to contract for more hours. He said if the money were appropriated, they would not be obligated to pay her that amount before negotiating the contract. The motion was moved, and failed to pass.
