Longmeadow Town Manager Stephen Crane beaten out for Tyngsboro administrator position

Date: 10/30/2014

TYNGSBORO – Town Manager Stephen Crane recently interviewed, but was beaten out for the open town administrator position in Tyngsboro.

Crane confirmed that he had applied for the job, but it was awarded to Curt Bellavance, director of community development of North Andover, at the Tyngsboro Board of Selectmen’s Oct. 27 meeting.

“My family really enjoys living in Longmeadow, but I applied for the job to find the right balance between an enjoyable family life and a work environment that is right for me,” Crane said. “While I am disappointed by [the Tyngsboro Board of Selectmen’s] decision, I will continue to serve the Longmeadow Select Board to the fullest extent of my abilities.”

Tyngsboro Selectman Karyn Puleo told Reminder Publications Tyngsboro had been searching for a new town administrator since former Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto left the position in July to take advantage of an opportunity in North Reading, his hometown.

The Oct. 27 interview was Crane’s second, she said. A screening committee reviewed all applications and Crane was one of three candidates forwarded to the board to be interviewed by the board on Oct. 16. He was determined to be one of the two finalists called back.

The position would have brought Crane closer to home. A native of Lowell, approximately 10 miles from Tyngsboro, Crane previously worked in his hometown overseeing urban renewal projects before being hired as city administrator in Lancaster, WI.

He moved from Lancaster to Longmeadow in April 2013, replacing Robin Crosbie, the community’s first town manager, who left to take a position as the town manager of Ipswich.

Crane, in the second year of a three-year contract, has had successes and struggles since his hire.

He played a substantial role in Longmeadow securing surrounding community status from MGM Springfield after the gaming company declined to identify the town as such when submitting its gaming license application. Subsequently, he aided in the surrounding community agreement that yielded the town an $850,000 up front payment and $275,000 in annual mitigation payments during a 13-year period once the casino opens its doors.

Crane was also embroiled in a public battle between himself and members of the Select Board at his June 4 performance review regarding the roles and responsibilities of members of the board and town manager.

The review resulted in a ruling that an improvement plan for any areas of his performance deemed unsatisfactory would be developed with the intention of reevaluating him 30, 60 and 90 days. He also received a 4 percent raise of his initial $105,000 salary.