Board member Tracy Cesan refused to sign the adopted draft of the document.
SOUTHWICK – After months of arguments the Board of Selectmen passed an executive order Monday night that clarifies the role of the chief administrative officer.
The measure was passed by a 2-1 vote with Chairman Arthur G. Pinnell and member Russell S. Fox voting in favor of the order and member Tracy L. Cesan making it clear she is against it, refusing to sign the adopted draft of the document.
Karl J. Stinehart The executive order, drafted by Worcester attorney D.M. Moschos on behalf of the town, defines the role of Chief Administrative Officer Karl J. Stinehart in regards to his powers, duties and responsibilities, including his “administrative oversight and coordination of all town departments under the board’s jurisdiction.”
Cesan said again Monday night that the order is unnecessary and its only purpose is to create a conflict of interest between herself and Stinehart where one did not exist. She has said that the select board has traditionally been the administrator of town government, including employee/personnel decisions, but the executive order not only gives Stinehart more power, it also essentially makes him her superior in her job as an administrative assistant with the Fire Department.
She also said Stinehart’s job description in the executive order describes a town manager more than a chief administrative officer.
“It’s trying to be as descriptive as possible to make the job description of the chief administrative officer more like a town manager without breaking the law,” Cesan said. “It’s true intention is to create a conflict.”
Cesan said during the meeting that it has been not common practice for Stinehart to be involved in town employee personnel issues, but Pinell disagreed, saying, “Karl has done evaluations of different employees in Town Hall. It is well established that Karl is very involved in evaluations.”
Cesan responded that she did not recall Stinehart’s name being on any paperwork relative to her job with the Fire Department, but Stinehart pointed out that her position was advertised by his office and that he and Fire Chief Richard Anderson went through the job applications together and decided on the people who should be interviewed, one of which was Cesan.
“When the applications came in, myself and the fire chief went through them and between the two of us decided who should be interviewed, so either one of us could have made that determination,” Stinehart said.
At that point, Pinell stepped in and told Cesan, “You are confused and reluctant to recognize past practice with multiple people telling you how it’s been done, and you’re sitting here denying it.”
Cesan said “a huge disservice” was being done to the town by adopting the order.