SWK/Hilltowns

Order passes despite Cesan’s objections

SOUTHWICK – Following a second session of discussion, the Board of Selectmen voted 2-1 to adopt an executive order last night.
Selectmen Arthur Pinell and Russell Fox approved the measure, while Tracy Cesan voted against it.
The order, said the two men, clarifies the job description of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Karl Stinehart. Cesan contends that the order changes Stinehart’s job description, a move she said was strategic.
“The Ethics Commission letter of Dec. 12 ruled there was no conflict between myself and Karl,” said Cesan. “The executive order’s purpose is to create a conflict.”
Cesan took issue with several items in the order, drafted by Atty. Demitrios Moschos. One section she said was specifically crafted to work against her included language that Stinehart’s duties included oversight of hiring, firing, evaluations and more of town employees.
“Attorney Moschos told me he was under the impression Karl gave employee reviews and that is not common practice,” Cesan said.
Stinehart said that was not true. He said that is within his job description but he delegates that to department heads. Stinehart also said he played a role in Cesan being hired as the full-time administrative assistant to the fire chief last year.
“When the applications came in there were 53 people and the chief and I determined 13 people who were going to be interviewed, including you,” said Stinehart.
“So you give reviews?” asked Cesan.
“The reviews can be delegated to department heads,” said Stinehart.
Cesan said there was no history of Stinehart performing the duties in question. Pinell disagreed.
“It is well established,” said Pinell. “He is very involved in that process.”
Cesan maintained that Stinehart has never participated in employee evaluations since her election last spring, or since she was a town employee the past several years.
“I work with department heads,” said Stinehart. “That’s part of the delegation of authority.”
Pinell told Cesan she was “reluctant to recognize past practice.”
Cesan asked why the board would consider making the proposed changes without taking it to Town Meeting for a vote.
“This doesn’t need to go to Town Meeting,” said Pinell.
Fox said he stated in the past that he would support anything that would clarify the situation.
“We’ve been in a state of turmoil for almost 10 months, this (order) will clarify that and get us back to doing the business of the town,” said Fox. “Town Hall is investing time doing research and other nonsense. Last week I tried to stay above this. I want to see if we can get beyond this and get off the front page of the newspapers.”
Cesan said if Fox wants to stop this, he should stop the executive order. She then told Stinehart, Fox and Pinell they were lying.
Pinell asked Cesan to “maintain a professional attitude.”
“You’re entitled to your opinion but not to call us liars,” said Pinell, who then called for a motion on the order.
Fox made the motion, seconded by Pinell. Cesan voted against the order.

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