Adams Board Airs Grievances Over Colleague
 Two selectmen expressed frustration with actions being taken by Selectwoman Paula Melville; Melville expressed frustration with the two administrators. |
"I do feel that as a member of the Board of Selectmen that I'm not on the same page as the town administrator and even with members of the Board of Selectmen," said Selectwoman Paula Melville, who continued that the board serves the people and town employees work for the board. "I think the part that isn't clear, and what we need to understand is that the Board of Selectmen is in charge ... and that the administrator serves us."
It's no secret that the relationship has been tense between Melville and Town Administrator Jonathan Butler; Melville has complained at meetings about him and Butler frequently responds by asking her to come by his office.
The governance structure was brought into question by Melville, who asked that the matter be placed on this week's agenda. But it became apparent as the conversation continued that at least two of her colleagues felt it wasn't a matter of who's in charge but who was trying to do an end-run around board decisions.
Selectmen Arthur "Skip" Harrington and Jason Hnatonko both expressed annoyance that a board member was going rogue — writing letters to agencies and demanding information as a representative of the town, trying to micromanage certain departments and failing to communicate appropriately with the town administrator. It was obvious they were talking about Melville.
"Everybody's entitled to have their opinion but the end of the night, the decision's made that's the decision that's filed and the board has to live with it," said Harrington. Members can't ignore those votes and do what they want anyway, he continued, "When you send your request to another agency, the state, anybody, and you put your name down as a member of the Board of Selectman, you're representing that you're the Board of Selectmen."
The town's received calls back about requests wondering what was going on, he said. "I can't explain how much damage that can do to some of our projects and to our relationships with these other organizations and other boards."
Melville was chastised last summer over requesting an accounting of state funds expended on the Greylock Glen despite failing to get the support of the board.
Hnatonko said board members should meet with the town administrator privately and "not take out our frustrations or say that someone's unprofessional or saying that someone's not getting back to you in a timely manner, not on TV." Butler always gets information back to him, he said, prompting Melville to respond, "you're lucky then."
"My responsibility is administering the policy that the Board of Selectmen sets," said Butler. "So if I'm getting requests from a board member, specifically not from the board, that are inconsistent with the policy that the board is setting, I'm not going to direct my department heads to spend their time on that."
Board members should also not be directing department heads, he said, and if a board member was looking for something that had not been determined a priority, he would suggest he or she bring the matter to the full board.
Later, in response to Melville questioning the information she thought should be in his report, he said to come to his office.
 The board voted 3-1 to ratify Curtis Crane, left, as a full-time officer at the request of Police Chief Donald Poirot. |
Chairman Michael Ouellette, who kept the discussion from getting out of hand at times, compared the town's organization as being similar to a company like GE. The board of directors set policy but the chief executive officer runs the business and reports back to the whole board. "And I look at Jonathan as being the CEO."
He said the town's charter and bylaws laid out the broad responsibilities and duties of the town administrator and stressed several times that the position reports to the Board of Selectmen, not just selectmen. There was, however, some wording that may be confusing, he said, in terms of selectmen contacting certain town employees without going through the town administrator.
Ouellette said he wanted to set up a workshop session to go over the wording and review board ethics — again — but wanted to ensure the entire board was there. Selectman Scott Nichols was absent because his flight was delayed.
Harrington pointed out that in terms of "who's in charge?" the final arbiter was the voter, who may not even "be aware of some of the things going on." Since there was no recall or impeachment option, voters would have to wait until an election and "should look hard at who they elected."
In other business:
• Harrington, Ouellette and Butler said the open forums held two weeks ago for public input on the town and budget were very successful. Ideas ranged from consolidating and outsourcing departments and services to cracking down on parking meter scofflaws and jaywalkers. Butler said he wanted to continue the concept by making himself available on the first Wednesday of the month beginning at 5:30 in the Selectmen's meeting room before the board meets.• Harrington, speaking as a citizen, commended the Department of Public Works for the efforts during the storm but was disappointed in some residents who were taking more than their fair share of sand and blowing snow out into the road making it more difficult for others. "We all have to work together."
•The board voted 3-1 to ratify Curtis Crane as a full-time patrolman to replace a retiring officer. Crane was appointed as a reserve officer last spring and the town sent him to the Police Academy in anticipation of open slots. Melville voted against the hiring, citing the "hiring freeze" in effect.
Harrington questioned why she had voted for six or so other hirings in the past year but now with the police the hiring freeze was an issue; Ouellette cut him off before she answered ("I don't want to get into that conversation.") Melville, however, then said she was uncomfortable because Butler "shares a house" with Police Chief Donald Poirot's son. (Butler rents from him.)
