Easton Town Administrator Earns High Grades From Selectmen

Town Administrator David Colton once again earned high grades from the Board of Selectmen during his annual review - the details of which were discussed during a selectmen's meeting Monday night.

"As always, it's a pleasure working with you," Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Corona said.

Colton, who is now in his seventh year as Easton's Town Administrator was asked to evaluate himself on a scale of "Exceeds Expectations," "Meets Expecations," and "Failed to Meet Expecations" in 10 categories. Selectmen then followed suit and individually graded the Town Administrator.

In all 10 categories, Colton graded himself as either meeting or exceeding expectations. Selectmen mostly agreed with his assessments and graded him as meeting or exceeding expectations in every category.

"It certainly was very generous," he said. "I appreciate all the kindness.. In many ways this town and the people of this town and elected officials make it."

Categories included:

• Financial
• Human Resources Management and Labor Relations
• Community Relations
• Quality of Live
• Planning and Economic Development
• Infrastructure and Public Works
• Town Government Efficiency and Effectiveness
• Service and Support to the Board of Selectmen
• Relationship with Other Levels of Government
• Personal and Professional Growth

Colton graded himself as "exceeding" in Financial, Planning and Economic Development, Infrastructure and Public Works, Town Government Efficiency and Effectiveness, and Personal and Professional Growth.

He said he "meets expectations" in the cateogories of Human Resources, Community Relations, Quality of Life, Service and Support to the Board of Selectmen, and Relationships with Other Levels of Government.

In the area of Finance, all Selectmen agreed with Colton's assessment of "exceeding."

"Easton has weathered the storm better than most, thanks in large part to David's conservative approach," Chair Colleen Corona wrote in her assessment. "The Town has been proactive in taking advantage of the current interest environment, which has generated significant savings. David continuously looks for ways to streamline operations and lower costs."

All Selectmen also agreed with Colton's assessment of "exceeding" in Planning and Economic Development and Infrastructure and Public Works.

In the area of Human Resources, Selectmen Corona, Dan Murphy, Sean Noonan and Todd Gornstein agreed with Colton's assessment of "meets expectations" while Barlow graded him as "exceeds expectations."

"I am hopeful that the one outstanding union contract will be resolved shortly," Murphy wrote in his assessment, referring to the Firefighters Union, which has yet to come to a contract agreement with the Town.

While Colton felt he met expectations in the area of Community Relations, the entire Board of Selectmen graded him as "exceeding expecations."

In the area of Quality of Life, Gornstein, Noonan and Murphy agreed with Colton's assessment of "meets expectations" while Barlow and Corona graded Colton as "exceeds expecations."

In the area of Town Government Efficiency and Effectiveness, only Gornstein graded Colton as "meets expecations" while all others, including Colton, graded the Town Administrator as "exceeds expectations."

Barlow, Gornstein and Noonan agreed with Colton's "meets expectations" grade for Service and Support to the Board of Selectmen while Corona and Murphy felt he exceeded expectations.

"Communication, be it a presentation or an impromptu question is effective and consistent," Murphy wrote.

In Relationships with Other Levels of Government, Murphy agreed with Colton's assessment of "meets expectations" while all other Selectmen felt he exceeded expecations.

In Personal and Professional Growth, Gornstein and Murphy graded Colton as "meets expectations" while Barlow, Corona and Noonan agreed with Colton's assessment of "exceeds expectations."