Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 12/18/2023
AMHERST — Alongside a positive annual performance review, Town Manager Paul Bockelman has been awarded an extension of his current employment contract through Aug. 31, 2027.
During its Dec. 11 meeting, the Town Council voted unanimously to approve both the extension and provide for an additional cost of living raise above the 2% given to non-union town employees
Town Council President Lynn Griesemer praised Bockelman during the meeting.
“Paul is recognized across the commonwealth as a strong and innovative leader. He continues to address and make progress on all 13 performance goals and exceeded the council’s expectations in 11 of those goals,” she said. “Amherst is a very demanding community. Paul and the town staff provide a professional approach to the services they offer residents, allowing Amherst to be known as a community on the leading edge of addressing current issues. We welcome the opportunity to work with Paul as we ensure a sound future for the town.”
The council based its appraisal on public feedback as well as members of the town committees, staff and the council members themselves.
According to a statement released by Griesemer on behalf of the council Bockelman received high marks in many of the areas for review.
“A super majority of nine or more councilors rated the town manager as ‘commendable’ (i.e., performance surpassing reasonable expectations) or ‘satisfactory’ (i.e., performance meeting reasonable expectations) in four goals. Those include the policy goal area of climate action; and the management goals areas of administration and leadership; finance and relationship with the Town Council. Seven councilors rated the town manager ‘commendable’ or ‘satisfactory’ in three policy goal areas; housing affordability; four major capital investments; and racial equity and social justice; and all of the remaining management goals areas: personnel; infrastructure management and maintenance; community engagement and relationship with [the University of Massachusetts], Amherst College, and Hampshire College,” the statement read.
Bockelman received composite ratings between “satisfactory” and “needs Improvement” in two policy goal areas: community health and safety, and economic vitality.
In 2021, the Town Council extended Bockelman’s contract through Aug. 31, 2025. In 2022, the Town Council voted to amend the contract so that the existing allowance of $3,000 per year for disability insurance could instead be used to purchase life insurance.
Bockelman shared his appreciation at the meeting.
“I thank the members of the Town Council for their confidence in my leadership and, equally important, for their service to the town. This evaluation truly recognizes the hard work our town employees dedicate to our community,” he said. “No goal is met without our town employees. This is my dream job. I am extremely fortunate to work for a community that holds everyone to high standards and cares about values that I hold at my core.”