Dan Howard, General Manager of Westfield’s Gas & Electric and Whip City Fiber, announced his retirement for later this fall. (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – The job description for general manager of Westfield Gas & Electric has been posted on the G&E website and other online and trade publications, following the notification by Daniel Howard that he will be retiring in November.
The announcement of the impending retirement was initially made by Municipal Light Board Chairman Thomas P. Flaherty at the July 11 MLB meeting, at which Flaherty stated that he had received a letter from Howard of his intention to retire, in accordance with the terms of his contract. The letter was not discussed at the meeting because it was not on the agenda, and was scheduled to be placed on the agenda at an upcoming meeting. Howard has served as General Manager of Westfield Gas & Electric since 2009, and has worked for the company for 34 years.
The General Manager Employment process was on the agenda at the August 1 meeting, where it was discussed along with the planned resignation of Thomas Flaherty, the Ward 5 Commissioner, from the Municipal Light Board. Flaherty was not present at the Aug. 1 meeting.
According to the minutes of that meeting, which are posted at cityofwestfield.org, the discussion at first centered on whether the screening of the applicants for general manager should be done by the Human Resource subcommittee as in the past, or by the board as a whole. MLB Vice Chairman Ray Rivera noted that this was the most important decision the MLB would make, and raised the issue of whether it should be in subcommittee or for the entire MLB board to perform the initial screening.
Also discussed was the process for replacing Commissioner Flaherty on the board. Attorney John Welch explained the process in detail, noting that it involved a joint meeting with the City Council and the MLB, with each councilor and MLB member having one vote.
According to the Aug. 1 minutes, Ward 6 Commissioner Robert C. Sacco raised a potential conflict of interest as it applied to ethics considerations surrounding the reported resignation of Thomas Flaherty. Attorney Welch said he had read Ethics Commissions opinions and statutes, and explained to the board that the search process can continue, and any other applicant, other than Commissioner Flaherty, can be screened or otherwise contacted. He said Flaherty may apply for the position at any time, but the MLB would have to wait thirty days after his resignation before any action on the application could occur, including selecting him for an interview or screening his application.
Sacco said he had contacted the manager to let potential internal candidates know that Flaherty had no upper hand in the search process. He also said he was concerned about a public perception issue regarding Flaherty’s possible application.
Sacco and Welch said that each MLB member would have to file a 23(b)(3) disclosure that they had served with Mr. Flaherty, as well as any professional interaction over the past with any internal candidates, to eliminate any appearance of impropriety.
Welch also stated that while the preliminary screening may be held in executive session, all conversations and discussions regarding the manager search needed to be held during properly posted open meetings.
At last Thursday’s (Aug. 16) City Council meeting, City Clerk Karen Fanion submitted the resignation of Ward 5 Municipal Light Board member Thomas Flaherty effective Aug. 6.
At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty talked about needing to fill the position of commissioner in a joint meeting with the MLB. He said, in the past there was no defined method for people to submit their interest, or to ask questions.
Council President John J. Beltrandi, III said there would be a joint meeting, which the new MLB chairman Ray Rivera would determine. Councilor Flaherty responded, asking if somebody wanted to join the board, should they contact Rivera.
“It’s a relatively smooth process,” said MLB liaison Robert A. Paul, Sr. He said that Rivera would work with Beltrandi on a process that would be published and released through the City Clerk; and that it would be Rivera’s responsibility to move it forward.
“I love the process, but in the end it’s a political process. A willingness to serve is paramount,” commented At-large Councilor Brent B. Bean, II at the City Council meeting.
Paul said at the last meeting of the MLB on Aug. 7, the posting and timeline of the search for the general manager was set for the next 45 days. “That’s the number one priority,” he said.
The deadline on the application is Sept. 19, and the MLB is scheduled to review all applications in executive session on Sept. 26, according to G&E HR Coordinator Beth Burns.
Councilor Flaherty asked whether they would fill the G&E board opening before the new manager comes on. “With respect to Commissioner Rivera, we’re in the process of discussing that. We’re not there yet,” Beltrandi responded.
“I would ask you all, as people come forward, to consider the fact that this network of G&E and internet are the city’s heart; it has to work,” said Paul, adding that during the transition period, the Municipal Light Board will play an important part in its guidance.
