April 16, 2020

“Mr. Ford moved to accept Item B: sections 10 and 11 of the Act to Address Challenges faced by Municipalities and State Authorities Resulting From COVID-19, Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020, including the six individual provisions as stated above. Mr. Howell seconded the motion..” (Motion: Ford, second: Howell)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

“Ballantine said there is a motion and a second on Item B. Roll call vote: Mr. MacAskill - Yes, Mr. McManus - Yes, Mr. Ford - Yes, Mr. Howell - Yes, Mr. Ballantine - Yes. Motion carried by unanimous vote.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

“Mr. Ford moved to approve the Town Administrator Position Profile (Item B ii). Mr. Howell seconded. Mr. Howell said the relationship between the Town Administrator and the Board is all-important, adding that the process should be based on the Charter. Mr. Ford said the document provides a great deal of latitude in description of type ' of things we need in an administrator. He said the Profile allows the Board to look at the person from every angle. Mr. MacAskill said the Board is approaching this issue backwards. He said the Search Committee was to have worked with a search firm and now the meeting is just between the Board and the Chairman of the Search Committee, adding that there is no transparency and no opportunity for public involvement. Mr. MacAskill said the Board hasn't yet voted not to hire a search firm, adding that he is confused with the process. Mr. Ballantine said the Position Profile should be voted first since it drives what the Board will have in the advertisement. Mr. Clarke said the global pandemic COVID-19 has made life difficult. He said his committee has made every effort to be transparent and thanks to Channel 18 the public are seeing committee meetings. Mr. Clarke said they are recommending to the Board a process that is fair and will fulfil the requirements of the Charter. He said there is a concern that the Town needs permanent leadership in the Town Administration, adding that public safety trumps process. Mr. MacAskill said when he spoke of lack of transparency he was referring to the Board of Selectmen meeting, not the Search Committee meetings. He said he is referring to the fact that the Board is changing what we have already voted. I Mr. Ballantine said there is a motion and a second on the Position Profile. (Item B ii) Roll call vote: Mr. Ford - Yes, Mr. McManus - Yes, Mr. Howell - Yes, Mr. MacAskill - No, Mr. Ballantine - Yes. Motion carried by a vote of 4-1.” (Motion: Ford, second: Howell)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

“Mr. Ford moved to accept the recommendation of the Search Committee not to hire a Selection Consultant and to move forward with the shortened process as recommended (Item B i). Mr. Howell seconded. Mr. MacAskill thanked Mr. Clarke for providing the draft minutes of the Search Committee meeting to the Board. He said the Board is doing a terrible dis-service to the Town, adding that fast-tracking the process is a mistake. Mr. MacAskill said the Board voted to hire a search firm, as most Towns do. He said this is the most important decision that a Board of Selectmen makes. Mr. Howell disagreed and said no action is inaction. He said we are 5 months into the term of the Acting Town Administrator, and we are allowed to go up to 6 months, after which we would need to make another appointment. Mr. McManus agreed with the importance of the decision, adding that to rush it is a mistake. He questioned what kind of applicants the Town would get in the middle of a pandemic. Mr. McManus said the Board should work at the process at a slower rate to make sure they get a good look at what the Board wants in a Town Administrator. Mr. Ford questioned whether the Board has the authority and ability to continue having an Acting Town Administrator. Mr. Howell replied that the Board can only make two appointments. Mr. Ford said that provides a unique problem, as the Town needs truly defined leadership to guide us. He said if the Town has to switch to another Acting Town Administrator, which would be a larger mistake. Mr. Ford said the Board has come to a crisis point, adding that the individuals chosen to serve on the Search Committee have recommended that the Board move quickly. Mr. Ford suggested that whoever is hired as a result of the search could be given a one-year term and then reviewed. He said the Board does need to take some kind of action. Mr. MacAskill said legal counsel should be sought as to how the Board should proceed. Mr. Howell reminded the Board that every member of the Search Committee was someone recommended by the Board members, so the committee is an amalgamation of the Board. Mr. Ballantine said the proposed process will eliminate the consulting firm but the intent is still to advertise and have the Search Committee bring candidates to the 2 Board. He asked if it is the intent of the Board to carry this process on to next fall. Mr. Ballantine said the Board has to move on and look at warrant articles and ) budget, adding that he does not feel the selection process should be slowed. Mr. MacAskill said it is a question of search firm vs. no search firm. He said in view of the expenditure of $328 for one set of Selectmen's minutes, which he - understands haven't been completed, and the overtime at the Transfer Station, he feels $12,000 for a search firm could be money well spent in the process. Mr. . Ballantine corrected Mr. MacAskill and said the search firm fee is $10,000. Mr. Clarke said the Board of Selectmen will be hiring a Town Administrator who the Town will have for many years to come. He said Harwich is having a public interview like no other right now with the Acting Town Administrator. Mr. Clarke said the community needs and deserves firm leadership in the Administrator, and we have had a chance to see this person performing. Mr. Clarke urged the Board to follow the Charter and to accept the recommendation of all five members of the Search Committee - not to spend the dollars and to move quickly and move ahead and advertise. He said the committee serves at the pleasure of the Board and is looking for direction. Mr. Ballantine said we have a motion and a second. Roll call vote: Mr. MacAskill - No, Mr. Howell - Yes, Mr. McManus - No, Mr. Ford - Yes, Mr. Ballantine - Yes. Motion carried by a vote of 3-2.” (Motion: Ford, second: Howell)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)