Westfield IT Manager Lenore Bernashe receives a certificate from Secretary of Technology Services and Security Curt Wood and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito at a cybersecurity awareness grant announcement in Worcester in June, 2019. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS SUBMITTED PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – Personnel Action Committee chair Cindy C. Harris submitted the reappointment of Information Technology Manager Lenore Bernashe for a three-year term to end in July 2023, requesting immediate consideration by the City Council at its May 7 meeting.
Council President Brent B. Bean II said he had some reservations, not related to the person, about reappointing major department heads by immediate consideration. “I’m fine with it due to the COVID-19 situation. I will support this, but in the future, I want to make sure we vet the department heads appropriately,” Bean said.
“I think it’s important too, with new councilors and returning councilors. The process of approving dept heads is important. I think it’s the fair thing to do the normal process,” agreed At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty.
Harris said she has talked with Bernashe, who was appointed as IT manager in July, 2011, several times regarding her reappointment. Harris said Bernashe is a founding member of the Mass Regional IT Directors Group, which has been recognized for excellence in cross boundary collaboration. “Her other professional accomplishments are in the document you have. All councilors voted yes for her reappointment in July 2017. I think all councilors have enough information to vote,” Harris said.
“Just speaking personally, in my interaction with Lenore, she has always given me a timely answer if I emailed her or gotten her on the phone. As far as what I’ve needed as a councilor, she’s always been right upfront and very helpful. I can’t speak to the list of projects she’s done. I’m sure she’s done a great job,” commented Ward 1 Councilor Nicholas J. Morganelli Jr.
“I agree with Councilor Morganelli, I’ve worked with Lenore for many years. She does a lot of great things without enough people. I would encourage us all when we get to budget time, to look at that department. Our body count is low, and the dollars per user are low,” Flaherty said, adding there is a payback when you invest in IT.
At-large Councilor Kristen Mello asked, since this process is new to her, whether this is a reappointment that gets advertised.
“She is appointed by the mayor,” Harris said.
Bean said certain appointments come from the mayor’s office, and it’s up to the mayor whether to open it up or not open it up. Bean said there are different processes for different positions, and different ways to do it. “This particular one comes from the mayor’s office,” he said.
The motion to reappoint Bernashe was unanimous.
Tammy Tefft, director of purchasing for city of Westfield (THE WESTFIELD NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Later in the meeting, Harris made a motion to reappoint Purchasing Director Tammy Tefft for a three year appointment to expire in July, 2023.
Harris said Tefft has served as director of purchasing for 15 years, and is an integral part of purchasing, being the sole employee in the department. Harris said Tefft, a certified project manager, is responsible for a wide range of projects, including the new elementary school and all other building projects. She is also responsible for bids in the city, the online auction of surplus equipment, and has come in below bid and on time in a number of important city projects.
Ward 5 Councilor John J. Beltrandi III said the purchasing department is one they rarely have issues with.
“She runs a tight ship and does a great job, and is one of the anchors in the city that we need to keep,” Beltrandi said, before a unanimous roll call vote.
