Clarksburg Chairman Applies For Administrator's Job

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:00PM / Thursday, January 19, 2012Print Story | Email Story

Debra Lefave, center, spent 11 years on the Board of Selectmen and seven on the Finance Committee.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Debra Lefave, longtime Selectmen chairman, has resigned her seat to apply for the town administrator's post.

Lefave confirmed on Thursday that she had submitted a letter of resignation effective Jan. 12, the same day it was announced that Town Administrator Michael Canales would be leaving for a job at North Adams City Hall.

The four-term selectman said it was a hard decision to make but she had been "encouraged by many people to apply."

"I've been on the Finance Committee for seven years and on the Selectmen for 11 years," said Lefave, who has a year to go on her latest three-year term. "I feel that I can do it, my heart is in the town."

The town's job posting calls for a candidate with "leadership experience, sound judgment, strong budgeting skills and a passion for public service." The administrator oversees all town departments and employees appointed by the Selectmen, budgeting and fiscal planning, day-to-day operations, procurement and other duties. Requirements include a bachelor's degree in public administration or similar field or at least three years relevant experience.

Lefave said she's worked closely with town administrators, particularly with Canales in her role as chairman of the board, and has a depth of experience with the town that other candidates would lack.

"They can't hit the ground the running like I will," said Lefave, who admitted there were elements of the post she would have learn. "I'm sure I'll be up against some good candidates, but the town knows that when I'm making a decision [as administrator], I'll be making it as a resident and a taxpayer."

The deadline for applications for the administrator's post is Feb. 5, but applications will be accepted until the post is filled. The town hopes to have a new administrator by March 5, when Canales is scheduled to leave.

The job posting:

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR TOWN OF CLARKSBURG The Town of Clarksburg, a Northern Berkshire Community, (population 1,800), seeks qualified candidates for the position of Town Administrator. The ideal candidate should possess leadership experience, sound judgment, strong budgeting skills and a passion for public service. The position reports to a three-member Board of Selectpersons. Major duties include; overseeing town departments and all town employees appointed by the Board of Selectpersons; personnel administration; grant administration; budget preparation and general management of fiscal operation s within the town; development of short and long range fiscal plans; chief procurement officer; administering all insurance contract for the town; principal interface with town counsel. Candidate must have strong written and oral skills; organizational and analytical skills are essential. Minimum qualifications include BA/BS in Public Administration or related field and/or at least three years relevant experience in a senior level supervisory/ managerial roll. Salary is dependent on qualifications. Send resume and cover letter with three references to: Board of Selectpersons, 111 River Road, Clarksburg, MA 01247 Attention: Debbie. Submittal by February 5, 2012 are appreciated but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Residency not required. AA/EOE.

Tags: administrator, Selectmen,

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If she is applying for the Administrator's job and resumes are being sent to her attention, isn't that a conflict of interest?
from: a little confused	on: 01-19-2012 07:48PM I Agree (18) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: She is no longer a member of the board and not seeing resumes, so no.
I Agree (7) - I Disagree (6)

Is this even possible, ethicaly?
from: Townie	on: 01-19-2012 08:18PM I Agree (17) - I Disagree (1)

I thought the new ethics law dictates that a Selectman must be severed for a minimum of 1 year before being able to obtain a position in the Town they served?
from: Townie	on: 01-19-2012 08:53PM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: According to the Ethics Commission website, a board " may not take any action regarding the board member's application, such as selecting him for an interview, until 30 days have elapsed after the board member has terminated his service as a member." Interestingly, it says the board member can apply for the post BEFORE resigning. I can't find anything relating to a year's wait; that may apply to lobbying. However, the commission also refers to a six-month waiting period for "additional" municipal positions.
I Agree (2) - I Disagree (2)

We're talking about Deb Lefave here. She knows enough about the laws in town and must have a pretty good feeling about getting the position, otherwise she wouldn't have dropped out of the selectboard seat. Some people may not like her, but she is a very smart woman. Good Luck to her.
from: Opinions Differ	on: 01-20-2012 08:10AM I Agree (76) - I Disagree (38)

She is not qualified. Job description asks for a BA/BS. Unless BS stands for bulls@#t she has neither.
from: resident	on: 01-20-2012 08:53AM I Agree (33) - I Disagree (54)
Editor: Or the relevant experience. Please read the posting.
I Agree (6) - I Disagree (3)

From what I understand, even if a search committee is formed, the remaining selectboard makes the final decision on who is hired. No matter what the law says...I'm wondering how ethical it is to leave the final say to them. These are 2 people who Ms. LeFave has worked with and befriended for many years. One, as I understand it, is a close personal friend. It not only puts them in an extremely difficult position but skews the interviews. Anyone else questioning this?
from: Ethical?	on: 01-20-2012 08:58AM I Agree (64) - I Disagree (58)
Editor: Agreed. They may form a search committee to interview candidates but the final decision will be the Selectmen.
I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

You know - it comes down to this. Ms. LeFave probably is qualified, and she is smart (or shrewd), but the way she treats people is for the birds. She is the "John Barrett" of Clarksburg. She can be mean and vindictive, rude - 2nd to none I've ever seen. She holds grudges and doesn't let them go. If you are not in her favor - watch out! That is not in the best interest of the people in this town folks. Just sayin'.........
from: Resident2	on: 01-20-2012 10:04AM I Agree (73) - I Disagree (61)

Trust me, she would not have resigned if the job was not already in the bag for her.
from: NotFoolingMe	on: 01-20-2012 11:47AM I Agree (50) - I Disagree (35)

Wow, an awful lot of negativity here.
from: LowerTaxes	on: 01-20-2012 03:27PM I Agree (37) - I Disagree (6)

deb Lefave as TA. Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
from: Wake Up	on: 01-20-2012 06:15PM I Agree (28) - I Disagree (13)
Editor: Except the selectmen have power over the TA, soo ...
I Agree (5) - I Disagree (7)

I have known Debbie since High School and she is dedicated to Clarksburg and watches out for all in the town. She is tough because she cares and knows what she is doing and has saved you all a lot of money and is watchful of taxes and the community. For those complaining, maybe you don't like her because you got denied something that was probably against policy or the law! She follows the law and policy to keep you safe! Shame on those belittling her because she does the job she was elected to do! I love you Debbie and so do many others in town!
from: just me	on: 01-21-2012 12:44AM I Agree (21) - I Disagree (36)

So, technically it doesn't violate ethics law based upon time frame. But what about the ethical implications that she most likely had a hand in writing the job description and necessary qualifications before leaving the selectboard? It is interesting that a BA/BS is not a requirement and the experience require is only 3 years. Seems to work out very nicely for her.
from: Cburger	on: 01-21-2012 12:30PM I Agree (28) - I Disagree (9)
Editor: Hatfield (3,500) is seeking candidates with a degree and five years ("highly desirable" but not a requirement); Burlington (24,600) 7-10 years. Of course, the salaries are commensurate with experience, population. Burlington's admin was making $144K in 2009; Hatfield's was $53,000 in 2010.
I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Didn't realize that being a selectmen was considered a senior level supervisory/ managerial roll. I thought it was more of an advisory committee.
from: BMM	on: 01-21-2012 03:02PM I Agree (11) - I Disagree (3)

Editor: Except the selectmen have power over the TA, soo .... Whats more important, is the townspeople have control over both!
from: Opinions Differ	on: 01-21-2012 09:30PM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (2)
Editor: Absolutely.
I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Yes, there is a lot of negativity on here. Do I believe that Debra Lefave is the best thing for this town? No. Not because she doesn't care for this town, as one person pointed out, and not because I've done anything unlawful (as the same person seems to think), and not because she is not capable of the job, but because I've seen her in action, and she cannot control herself at times. Times that are important, times that require people to be calm, listen with RESPECT, and then comment on the issue at hand. If she can convince me that she is that person, then maybe I'll change my mind. Maybe....
from: Naysayer	on: 01-21-2012 11:30PM I Agree (28) - I Disagree (2)

I only hope that someone with let's say, a Masters' Degree, or a BA in Political Science, who has a ton of experience in the public sector, applies for the job. Then let's see the Select Board scramble on that one...Dan Bosley, are you listening??
from: NotFoolingMe	on: 01-22-2012 07:30AM I Agree (28) - I Disagree (3)

Please Clarksburg Residents don't let this happen, she is responsible for so much narcicism in Clarksburg it's not funny. She does not have the education for this position. We need someone knowledgable and OPEN MINDED even if they don't aqree.
from: resident	on: 01-22-2012 10:27AM I Agree (33) - I Disagree (3)

Hey - I just heard that Mr. McKinney (Clarksburg Selectperson) gave Mr. Dave Berger (Clarksburg School Committee Chair) a phone call this weekend telling him he could not be on the search committeee for the new Town Administrator because he has an "unpleasant past history" with Ms. LeFave. I thought this search committee was supposed to be unbiased. If the town is supposed to believe that Mr. McKinney and Ms. Kuzia can be unbiased after many years of befriending Ms. LeFave, why can't Mr. Berger be unbiased also? Are only friends of Ms. LeFave allowed on this committee? And also, this isn't supposed to be the "Debra LeFave" show....its supposed to be a search committee for a new town administrator. Why is one applicant getting the seach committe hand picked for her? I urge the town residents to question this behavior and show up at the Selectman's meeting this Wednesday.
from: Interested Party	on: 01-23-2012 09:17AM I Agree (29) - I Disagree (4)
Editor: Unless you are David Berger, how do you know this? I hear lots of things, some are true but many have only a kernel of truth to them.
I Agree (8) - I Disagree (5)

He just called and told me. Give him a call.
from: Interested Party	on: 01-23-2012 09:55AM I Agree (16) - I Disagree (0)

I find that after living here my whole life that we do have folks who take on leadership roles and mean well. I also know that taking on these positions takes time on mind and soul. However that does not mean that you have the college degree or the education to be an administrator of a town. Grants,budgets,politics and personal skills are the job requirements needed to run a small town. The salary provided shows that right up front. I feel that her personal interactions are what draws all the negative comments. I would draw attention to the salary for someone who did not go to college or work with finances on a daily bases in a company or bank. I just hope that all qualified canidates get equal opportunity on interviews.
from: 50 yr old	on: 01-24-2012 06:22PM I Agree (16) - I Disagree (9)

All experience...or lack thereof...aside. I do not want this woman representing my town in the wider political forum that the TA's job requires. She does not behave in a professional manner, especially when things are not going her way. One needs only to attend meetings at which she is present or watch the way she treats people when the Selectmen's meetings are televised. Clarksburg deserves better. It scares me that this appointment will be made by so few and so indebted. How sad for all of us.
from: resident taxpayer	on: 01-24-2012 10:28PM I Agree (22) - I Disagree (9)

Has anyone considered the outcome if Ms. Lefave does not get the position? If she doesn't get the job she can then run for re-election shortly after the position is filled. If she is as bad as people state then what would it be like for the new administrator if she is re-elected?
from: Food for thought!!	on: 01-29-2012 01:53PM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

Clarksburg Joining Drug Prevention Coalition

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:18PM / Friday, November 22, 2024

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board has agreed to join a collaborative effort for drug prevention and harm reduction.

The new coalition will hire a North County community coordinator who will be headquartered on the North Adams Regional Hospital campus and who oversee allocations for harm reduction, education and prevention efforts. Berkshire Health Systems has also committed about $120,000 over the next five years.

Clarksburg, one of the first communities to sign on to the opioid lawsuit filed by a consortium of states several years ago, has so far received payouts of $23,594.78. It's expected to receive nearly $64,000 by the end of the 16-year payout.

In October, the board had discussed whether to pool that money with other communities, expressing concerns that the small town would not receive enough benefits.

"Anytime there's a pooling of money I think countywide, I think we know where the bulk goes to," said member Colton Andrew said Monday. "I'm more open to the idea of keeping the money here but open to hearing your intentions and how the mony will be allocated."

Chair Robert Norcross said he felt there seemed to be a focus on harm reduction, such as the use of Narcan, and not enough for prevention or problem-solving.

But after hearing from members of the nascent coalition, members voted Monday night to partner with other Northern Berkshire communities.

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