He was asked by selectmen to provide a self-evaluation of himself as part of his annual performance review.
John P. MusanteAMHERST – Town Manager John P. Musante delivered a nine-page self-evaluation to the Select Board this week and said in the nine months as manager “I believe I have hit the ground not just running but in all-out sprint.”
Musante was appointed manager Oct. 1 to replace Laurence R. Schaffer who left the position. Musante had been the town’s Finance Director and continued in both positions until hiring Sanford Pooler to replace him earlier this year.
Musante pointed to the hiring of Pooler and Hubbardston Town Administrator Debra Roussel as his assistant as highlights of his nine months on the job.
He also pointed to the successful $4.5 million road improvement bond plan approved by Town Meeting; the partnership with Milestone Ministries of Springfield; and the First Baptist church which operated the town’s first emergency overnight winter shelter.
Last year, the town operated a warming station where people could stay but not sleep, a program that drew some controversy. Other highlights include securing commitments from Belchertown, Hadley and Pelham for a regional dispatch center and receiving an extension from the state of a $735,000 pre development grant.
He also cited his leadership role in the Gateway- Redevelopment project. Musante responded to the eight performance goals outlined by the Select Board in October. New goals will be set later this summer One of the goals was to address the ongoing revenue crises and come up with a way for generating new revenue. Musante pointed to the solar project at the town’s closed landfill, which he states “has potential to generate significant property tax revenue” in addition to reducing town electric costs.
He also noted the enhanced housing/code enforcement strategy in which user fees could pay for some or all of the staff positions needed to implement it.
“I thought his self-evaluation was detailed and thoughtful, and was a good summary of the spectrum of challenges, new initiatives and accomplishments that have defined his first year as Town Manager,” Select Board chairwoman Stephanie J. O’Keeffe wrote in an e-mail. The evaluation process will continue over the summer.
In July, questionnaires will be sent to staff and e-mailed to Town Meeting members as well as a posting on the town web site. Forms are due by Aug. 3. The Select Board must file evaluation forms with O’Keeffe by Aug. 17. The results of the forms will be discussed Aug. 22 with the evaluation presented the following week.