It Ain’t So, Joe

Ken O’Brien

Former Town Councilor and die-hard Republican James (Joe) Marino can’t seem to open his mouth but to change feet.

Followers of local town politics will remember that he departed the Town Council not long after he admitted that he had leaked Executive Session minutes to the local press.

He has, in the typical pattern of most Republicans who go around in circles, followed in his own footsteps. 

Reed Contract Still In Limbo

Ken O’Brien

An article posted tonight on the Worcester Telegram website indicates that the proposed contract between Southbridge and Robert Reed for the latter to serve as Acting Town Manager is still hung up over the issue of a town provided vehicle.

In the article titled “Car clause derails Southbridge town manager contract” Brian Lee reports, “After hitting a roadblock over use of a town-issued SUV, officials continue to negotiate with Robert T. Reed about serving as interim manager for six months, Council Chairman David S. Langevin said Friday.” 

[In another article, Brian Lee reports on the turmoil in the leadership of Southbridge Schools. See “Southbridge facing shake-up among principals”.]

Reed Was The Wrong Target

Ken O’Brien

It is fair to say that last Monday’s Council of the Whole town council meeting was not their finest hour. As I’ve expressed elsewhere, I feel that they were bogged down in trivialities while failing to ask the most important question.

To a significant extent the shortcomings were not entirely their fault. While I feel that the final evaluation of Mr. Reed should have been televised (as has been the case with candidates for a permanent town manager) the details of his contract should have been ironed out in private. 

The Unasked Question

Ken O’Brien

A key point was ignored in the midst of all the posturing about hiring an Acting Town Manager at Monday night’s meeting of the Southbridge Town Council.

The question that not one councilor saw fit to ask was, “If we can get by for up to six months with a Town Manager serving 20 hours per week at $1,000 per week, why do we need a full timer at more than twice that amount?” 

Southbridge Council Fails To Approve Reed As Acting Town Manager…Amended Contract Submitted For His Approval

Ken O’Brien

By a vote of four to four the Town Council initially failed to approve the proposed employment contract between the Town of Southbridge and Robert T. Reed to serve as Acting Town Manager.

With Council Chairman Langevin absent, the meeting was chaired by Council Vice-Chairman Darlene Marcucci. Councilors Carrasco, Moriarty, Peloquin and Vandal voted against the contract. Voting in favor were Councilors Clemence, Manna, Marcucci and Nikolla. Under Robert’s Rules a tie vote results in defeat of the motion. 

Why Is This Off-Camera?

Ken O’Brien

Posted on the town website is an agenda for a Town Council Meeting of the Whole prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting Monday night. The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

COUNCIL OF THE WHOLE

GEORGE PARENT COMMUNITY ROOM

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2013 – 6:30 PM

AGENDA

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Roll Call

3. Review resume and employment agreement for Acting Town Manager, Robert Reed and to submit to Council for ratification.

4. Adjournment