Letter To The Editor: Sherborn Selectmen DeRensis On Town Administrator Vacancy

Some questions have come up about the process for filling the Sherborn town administrator vacancy, so here are some answers:

1. The Town Administrator is one of the highest paid positions in the service of the town, not to be confused with an unpaid volunteer position, and comes with  health insurance, pensions and other benefits of substantial value. Former Selectman Jim Murphy, Town Planner Gino Carlucci and Police Chief Thompson, all good people, have all offered to take on this job with pay. 

2. At the Board of Selectmen's meeting of March 31, each member of the BOS had a different position, there was no majority on any issue. We had a discussion that revealed each of us had initial thoughts that headed in three different directions. That is exactly what democracy and open meetings are all about, the free exchanges of ideas and information. The meeting ended with my making a commitment to do additional homework, which I in fact did after the meeting. At that meeting, Dan Keyes continued to be on our payroll so any appointment would have added more to the payroll.

3. By our meeting  of April 14, after consulting with town counsel, with a leading Town Administrator Search firm, and with a variety of town administrators, the Board was able to reach a consensus for action: the BOS voted unanimously, with all selectmen voting in the affirmative, to follow an open transparent process of posting/advertising  the vacancy, allowing applications, setting up a search committee, and clarifying the job description.  Sherborn is an equal opportunity employer.

4. The only time the Board of Selectmen has appointed 'interims' has been to appoint the second in command in the office, the person who would be undertaking additional work. We have not, during the time I have been involved with the town, brought in someone from outside that office without any public process. We have a capable Assistant Town Administrator; the function of the Assistant Town Administrator is to fill in during absence of the Town Administrator. 

5. The town is doing fine without a paid town administrator at this time, and is saving money. I have taken on many of the town administrator's duties for free, as has Selectman Tom Twining and our Assistant Town Administrator Diane Moores. We are saving money by not having to pay yet another person to perform these duties.  I believe rather than rushing, the selection should be done carefully and deliberately, with a transparent and public process. 

Therefore, the Board is working well, and this process shows good government at its very finest. When three very different selectmen can come to unanimous votes from very different points of view, this is wonderful, I am very proud of that achievement.

I stand for public service that does not serve one group with one private agenda; for open transparent government, for listening to every point of view and working towards consensus, and for decisions reached openly, carefully and correctly. 

Paul DeRensis