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Date: 4/18/2022
BELCHERTOWN – With a finalist selected for the new human resources (HR) director, the Belchertown Select Board interviewed the final candidate and discussed the future of the town’s skate park at their April 11 meeting.
After whittling the field down to one final candidate for the HR director position between dropouts and preliminary interviews. The board interviewed current Amherst HR Manager Joanne Misiaszek for the position.
Misiaszek said she has a variety of experience in human resource work, spending time at Northampton Public Schools, with the city of Northampton and five years as the HR manager in Amherst.
“I have worked with town staff, school staff and I have many years of experience working in human resources for payroll as well,” she said.
If selected to take on the position, Misiaszek said her first step would be to get to know people across town departments and understand the practices in town.
“I would want to get to know what the current practices are that you have in place and build off some of those. It’s not going to be easy, and I understand that, I don’t want to push too much change if something needs to happen. I am very collaborative, I am willing to work with people, hear what they want and how it can best work for the organization as a whole,” she said.
Along with understanding the town, Misiaszek said she would also work to get an understanding of its contracts.
Misiaszek spoke to why Belchertown would be a good fit for her.
“Belchertown seems like a wonderful community, it’s kind of like a bedroom community in a way and it is close by, and I am familiar with the town. It’s the right size for me as far as being a leader for you, it’s just right,” she said.
Immediately following the interview, the board unanimously approved a motion to enter negotiations with Misiaszek for the new HR director position.
After the board approved an appropriation of $850 for an inspection of the town’s skate park at a previous meeting, Recreation Director Kyle Thibeault came before the board to discuss the results.
“The ramps and skate park in general were in great condition for not coming out since the initial time or two. They did do some minor repairs because they had to patch one of the ramps and replace a couple bolts which cost maybe $200,” he said.
Thibeault said the inspection company suggested conducting inspections of the park once or twice of year in order to properly maintain it.
“My thought was probably right before we open in the spring would be the best time because the bulk of the use is spring, summer and the beginning of fall,” he said.
One hiccup along the way is that some of the signs and one of the ramps were vandalized with graphic language, but Thibeault said the department is addressing the issue. He added that vandalism does not happen all the time but does happen occasionally.
Along with maintaining the park, Thibeault said his department would also look into creating programming for the park.
“We’ve had a couple of individuals that know skills and have tried to put on shows but it did not pan out the last time. I have no problem trying to offer something and utilize it, I think we could, but I don’t know what that could entail, if it’s demos of showing you how to do tricks or a show getting kids amped for it,” he said.
In terms of maintenance costs, Thibeault said it could be covered in an account with about $1,300 per year to cover the annual inspection and unanticipated repairs.
Board Clerk Ed Boscher summed up the thoughts of the board about maintaining the park by allowing the Recreation Department to do so as long as vandalism does not become a significant issue. The board ultimately agreed to put the oversight of the skate park under the Recreation Department’s purview.
During the meeting, board member Ronald Aponte also provided an update on the search for the town’s next police chief and said applications are currently open for the seat. The board also set a hearing date over an application for an all-liquor license for its next meeting.
The Belchertown Select Board next meets on April 25 and coverage of that meeting will appear in the May 5 edition of The Reminder.