2010 annual town report - Town of Ashburnham, Massachusetts

Board of Selectmen2010 Annual Report (continued)delivering governmental services with significantlyreduced funding.Chairman Ed Vitone attended the February 16, 2011Ashby Board of Selectmen meeting to discuss thepossibility of sharing our Town AdministratorDouglas Briggs. At the Ashburnham Board ofSelectmen meeting on February 22, 2011, the Boardvoted unanimously to send a formal letter to theAshby Board of Selectmen reiterating the possibilityof sharing Ashburnham’s Town Administrator. Theletter stated as follows:“The Board believes that towns such as Ashby andAshburnham will continue to face significanteconomic pressure in the foreseeable future and thatregionalization is one of the few untappedopportunities to help us meet such challenges.Recognizing that Ashby is considering engaging anInterim Town Administrator (TA) we believe thatthis presents an ideal opportunity for the two townsto “test drive” a shared position for a three monthperiod. If agreeable to your Board, Ashburnhamwould make its Town Administrator, Doug Briggs,available to serve as Ashby’s Interim TA on a parttimebasis. Just as is the case with the TownAccountant and Assessors positions that both Ashbyand Ashburnham share, from a managementperspective, each Board would supervise theactivities of the TA for its town only. The twotowns would enter into a three-month intermunicipalagreement to reimburse Ashburnham forDoug’s services. The specific details to be definedpending a decision to move forward.As stated in the meeting, Ashburnham’s interest in ashared TA position is contingent upon the potentialfor a broader cooperation between the two townswhere costs can be lowered and services to ourcitizens improved. In this regard, we suggest thatwe jointly task Mr. Briggs to quantify theregionalization opportunities that may exist. Thisassessment would be completed within the threemonthinterim assignment. In recognition of thisstudy, both towns would agree to postponeregionalization discussion with other communitiesuntil a joint evaluation of the recommendations hasbeen completed.” The Ashby Board of SelectmenChairman Peter McMurray and members JosephCasey and Dan Meunier has taken the request underadvisement.The Board expresses their gratitude to theDepartment Heads, Town Boards, Committees andCommissions for their accomplishments during theyear. Please take the time to read their individualreports. It should be remembered that these Boards,Committees and Commissions are composed ofvolunteers who give many long hours of their freetime to work on issues and projects that benefit theTown of Ashburnham. The Board acknowledgeswith thanks, the cooperation we have received fromour Town Officials, Town Employees and theTownspeople.“There is but one straight course, and that is to seektruth and pursue it steadily.” – George WashingtonRespectfully submitted,Margaret Whitney, for the Board of SelectmenBOARD OF SELECTMENEdward T. Vitone, Jr., ChairMargaret Whitney, ClerkRonald W. Reed, MemberTown Administrator2010 Annual ReportTo the Honorable Board of Selectmen and theCitizens of the Town of Ashburnham, I submit myreport as Town Administrator.The year 2010 represented my first full year asTown Administrator and I have been extremelyfortunate in the last 12 months to have worked withsuch a very talented and dedicated staff. SylviaTurcotte, the Assistant to the Town Administrator, isan integral part of the management team. Her workethic, dedication, and continued support insured mytransition into the managerial and politicalenvironment.During 2010, many of the changes andimprovements started in 2009 were incorporated tobring financial stability and cohesive management.Goals and Objectives were established for eachdepartment, and with that fresh view several12