The outgoing town administrator (TA) is urging the Select Board to fill the assistant town administrator (ATA) position without regard to the whole management picture of Town Hall. While the Harvard Charter grants the TA this hiring authority, it is concerning that the soon-to-be-hired new TA will have no say in selecting his or her assistant. It is even more concerning that the outgoing TA is pushing to deny his replacement the opportunity to form a team with a shared vision for leading and managing the town now and in the future.
Several options exist to ensure continuity of services including hiring a temporary TA, hiring a part-time human resources person to address payroll and other personnel issues, or even dividing TA responsibilities temporarily among town department heads. All of these approaches ensure continuity of service while protecting the new TA’s ability to hire the person of his/her choice as ATA.
The Select Board should implement one of the options listed above and stop the rushed hiring of a new ATA.
Ensuring we have a leadership team that works well together is critical as we move through necessary and desired changes while preserving Harvard’s unique treasures, a demanding, yet exciting venture.
Colleen McFadden, Shaker Road
Meg Bagdonas, South Shaker Road
Stephanie Opalka, Depot Road
Willie Wickman, Willow Road
Sharon McCarthy, East Bare Hill Road
