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Date: 10/2/2023
SOUTHAMPTON — During a session to gather information on Sept. 27 Bernard Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates, the firm conducting a search for the town’s next administrator, briefly outlined the process and challenges of finding and hiring a candidate.
Lynch, veteran of over 100 administrator searches in the last seven to eight years, said Southampton is competing in a challenging market. The population density is low, suggesting a shortage of local candidates. But the session that night was to gather information from residents about the character of the town and what residents want to see in an administrator.
“Mostly, we’re here tonight to listen to you about what is basic to Southampton,” Lynch said.
Tom Gentile asked if there had been an exit interview with Ed Gibson, the current town administrator, so he could describe the job and its duties. Gibson is scheduled to retire on Jan. 1. Lynch said there was an exit interview. A three to four page document has been prepared that describes the town and town government, that will be offered to candidates.
Christine Fowles, chair of the Select Board, said a rewrite of a document, prepared as part of the comprehensive plan, was revised several years ago. That information is also available for candidates. Procedural concerns aside, Cindy Palmer was then the first resident to speak to the current priorities of the town.
“We also have another very important document, the Open Space and Recreation Plan,” Palmer said. “I would expect anybody considering to be hired by Southampton would have great familiarity with both documents, but also experience realizing what is in those documents.”
Palmer noted that 50% of the voting population in town are senior citizens. Many are not familiar with town government. Palmer said a small percentage are “plugged into what’s going on,” but most are not. Outreach is a skill the town administrator also needs.
Volunteers run the town, Palmer said, so the administrator should have excellent time and task management skills.
“I went to the Select Board meeting last night,” Palmer said. “A town administrator has to be on top of so many issues…so we’re really expecting a lot on that front.”
Palmer asked that Fowles summarize the major projects and initiatives facing the town. Fowles offered that three big projects are in play. The first is the completion of the Mill River Greenway, a mixed use path that will connect to paths in Easthampton and Westfield. The second is a Senior Center made possible by a large gift from a deceased resident. The third project is the new public safety complex.
The buildings currently housing the Police and Fire departments, Fowles said, date from the Civil War and from 1900, respectively. Fowles also added a fourth project to the town’s planning. The East Street Bridge is a significant project and a major piece of urban renewal in the Mill River corridor.
Southampton’s Town Clerk, Lucy Dalton, a 26-year resident, spoke to the administrator’s relationships with other members of town government. She wanted a candidate to do more research and be better acquainted with the town before taking the job. She also wanted the town administrator to trust department heads, like Dalton, to do their jobs.
“I would love it if they were more transparent and be able to speak to the press and the media,” Dalton said. “I feel there isn’t a lot told to the residents … Mostly, it’s being communicative and being transparent.”
Lynch said communication is more difficult for municipalities now because newspapers are less common than in the past. Another difficulty facing the town, according to a member of the Board of Health, Kaitlyn Rooks, is the lack of community members participating in key town positions. She said the town administrator needed to be better at attracting and motivating volunteers.
“The last election there were a lot of positions that didn’t get filled,” Rooks said. “The town administrator needs to create a culture where people are interested in being in town government … It makes a big difference when there are more hands in the pot.”
Lynch agreed.
“How do you operate your town government when not enough people are involved?” he asked. “We talked about the trend of less coverage of newspapers. The other trend is civic engagement and participating. When you’re heavily reliant on that … it does create a number of challenges.”
Janet Cain offered a note of praise for Gibson, who will retire in three months. She appreciates the open door policy Gibson created, the openness to being contacted with questions, or for a conversation. Cain also hoped a new administrator would work to refine the town’s government.
“Look at the document from 2016 and work to make improvements in our form of government,” Cain, chair of the Council on Aging, said. “That’s my big ask for the future.”
Lynch closed the meeting by requesting residents with questions or comments at any point in the hiring process to please call his office at 978-621-6733. Lynch is also reachable by email at blynch@communityparadigm.com.