Politics & Government
ABOUT TOWN: Department Heads Want Crimmins to Stay as Town Manager
Welcome to "About Town with Mark Snyder," a column that will keep you up to the minute with what's what, who's who and what's going on around town. If you see or hear something we could use here, let us know by sending an e-mail to pmpco@aol.com.
In a letter dated February 17th to Chairman John Stagnone and the Board of Selectmen from 14 Municipal Department Heads, a request was made to "bring about a reconsideration of the of Town Manager, Frank Crimmins."
The letter went about to say, "During the past two years, Frank has instituted many dramatic and profound changes within Town government. Although there has been periodic grumbling by some, in the end these changes have greatly improved the daily operations of every department in Town. Change is often difficult to embrace, but we the undersigned, have seen Town government transformed in a short period of time into a business model that is now run in a completely transparent, efficient, cost-effective and professional manner."
About Town attempted to decipher the signatures, and came up with Library Director Pat Basler, Engineer Ben Feehan, Public Health Director Lisa Parent, Assessor Joseph Gibbons, Building Inspector Tom McGrath, Treasurer Donna Erickson, Human Resources Director Martin McNamara, Acting Chief Procurement Officer Lindsay Pope, Town Planner Noreen O'Toole, DPW Superintendent John Batchelder, Fire Chief Mark Dolloff, acting Police Chief Robert Devine, Recreation Director John Denison, Jr, and Veterans' Agent Mike Pazyra.
Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The letter goes on to say, "We are very concerned for the future welfare of the Town of Stoughton, which has made significant strides during the past few years. Many of the department heads accepted the job in Stoughton with the understanding they would be reporting directly to Frank Crimmins. Our ability to perform at the highest professional level depends on the sense of stability and continuity of leadership. Much time and effort has been invested in improving the public perception of town government through the diligent efforts of Frank Crimmins and the Board of Selectmen, and we would be very disappointed to see that lost."
It concludes, "We urge you to investigate other options that would encourage Frank to continue what he has begun. If that is not possible, we hope that you will give some serious thought to working together as a Board so that the next Town Manager will receive the support necessary to fulfill a three year term."
Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Tonight, March 6, the Board of Selectmen are expected to announce an "," who will run the town until a permanent candidate is found. I'm betting that Town Accountant Bill Rowe is that guy.
Crimmins has expressed no interest in staying on the job. As far as this writer knows, however, the Board of Selectmen never formally voted to accept his resignation. Crimmins' last day is March 31, 2012.
The department heads ended their letter with: "Being a Town Manager is a difficult, demanding, and sometimes thankless job, and good town managers are rare. We are fortunate to have a good town manager who is 'very busy and works very hard' and we all hate to see him leave."
A copy of the letter is posted in the media gallery above.
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