Board must let Crane manage

Date: 1/2/2015

If it is true that one man cannot serve two masters, then pity Longmeadow Town Manager Stephen Crane who must serve five. Even worse for Mr. Crane is the fact that these five officials seem to consider themselves immune to the fact that the Town Charter relegates them to broad policy responsibilities, while Mr. Crane is tasked with the day-to-day responsibilities of running the town. How many legal opinions do these manager wannabes need?

We seem to have four part time noses out of joint here. And even worse the five have serious difficulties working in concert with each other. The only thing they all seem to believe is that Mr. Crane deserves their constant public vilification and nit picking admonition. Yes, gentlemen, you were elected and he is “only” your hired gun. But the fact of your election does not supersede the Town Charter. As a matter of fact, the town would benefit greatly if the Select Board would meet about twice a year and, the rest of the time, get out of the way of competent management by Mr. Crane.

Philip B Fregeau
Longmeadow