Town manager position still up in the air

Date: 8/13/2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW — Select Board Chair Paul Santaniello stated at the Aug. 6 town meeting that the board has yet to come to a conclusion as to what they plan to do regarding the hiring of a new town manager.

Santaniello told Reminder Publications on Aug. 2 that the board had a planned Aug. 3 executive session to discuss the issue after the board was able to agree on a contract with with Thomas Guerino, the town administrator for the town of Bourne, and would have an announcement for the town regarding the status of the position, which has been vacant since former Town Manager Robin Crosbie left the town when her contract expired in June to take the same position in Ipswich.

However, the board was unable to formulate a plan during that session.

"At a Select Board meeting three weeks ago, there was a motion made to enter into contract negotiations with Thomas Guerino. We did enter into contract negotiations. It did not come to fruit," Santaniello said. "We are moving on and looking at and exploring all of our options. The board has met a couple of times to discuss these options and we will do so again this evening as part of our executive session. As we progress with this, we will definitely keep the public informed just enough to let you know where we are."

Guerino said that he was disappointed that a contract could not be agreed upon, despite everyone's best efforts.

"I think everybody put their best foot forward, but there were issues, both monetary and non-monetary that we just couldn't agree upon," he said. "It's disappointing, but these things happen. Everyone did their best, but there were just some things we couldn't close on."

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Sen. Scott Brown extended his congratulations to the town for their inclusion in Family Circle Magazine's "10 Best Towns for Families: 2012" list in the form of a letter, which was presented at the Select Board meeting.

"Longmeadow's outstanding school system was particularly important in the town's selection for this honor," the letter read. "This award is a testament of Longmeadow's officials and residents. A strong sense of community and family values has made Longmeadow a desirable place to live."

For more information on Longmeadow's ranking, visit www.familycircle.com/family-fun/travel/best-towns-for-families-2012.