Middleboro Selectmen As Search Committee?

As a consequence of the three finalists presented for Town Manager to the Board of Selectmen, widespread criticism was expressed regarding the Search Committee's failures to do the basic internet search of information available.

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Were it not for the issues raised on pertinent blogs and within discussion forums, one wonders which candidate might have dazzled the Middleboro Board of Selectmen and secured the appointment.

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Post appointment, the following article appeared in the Sun Chronicle:

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After losing Middleboro post, Mansfield manager blasts foes

D'Agostino characterized the two men's decision to follow him to Middleboro as evidence that Clemmey, in particular, wants to do more than secure the town manager's removal. "He wants to destroy me. No exaggeration," D'Agostino said. "He would like nothing more than to destroy my career. "And, of course, he's going to deny it," D'Agostino continued. "But what else would motivate you to go down to Middleboro? And why would you do that? What would be the reason?"

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"This is how deep it runs here in Mansfield," he said. "It's not a good place to be. It's not a good place to live.

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"Referencing the continued focus on the events that led to the lawsuit, D'Agostino asked: "How would you like to be remembered for the one instance in which it didn't work out?" He added that he hopes citizens will judge his tenure by looking at the sum of his 10 years in Mansfield. SunChronicle

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There are other fiscal and management issues within Mansfield that were overlooked, as well.

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The intent isn't to renew a discussion of the Town Manager Candidates, but rather to question the decision at the most recent Selectmen's Meeting for the BOS to act as Search Committee for the new Fire Chief. Some might say the Board lacks the ability to accomplish its assigned tasks, much less tackle a field in which no single Selectman possesses any expertise.

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To the detriment of the Town of Middleboro, the BOS already acts as the Board of Health, Water Commissioners, Auditors and a number of other responsibilities at which they fail miserably.

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The Board has yet to enact the items included in the Department of Revenue Report, the last several Auditors' Reports, and future planning is not in their sights.

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Future planning? Wha's that? Just wait until there's a crisis to act!

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The job listings posted on the MMA (link to the right) site for the position are rather specific in their qualifications.

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It would seem, if wisdom prevails, that a Search Committee be appointed to do the legwork and solicit qualified candidates.

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Let's stop making appointments in this town based on favoritism, but rather based on qualifications.

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And let's have a separate committee to handle the selection who are better qualified.