THE PROCESS HAS BEGUN


The Town Council has begun the process to search for the next Town Manager with the hiring of a firm from the Chicago area. The process also includes having input from residents, which began this past Saturday at the Central Library. The Council has set a goal of having our new Town Manager in place by May of this year.


Now, let me first say that, although under a cloud of questions about having the Town Attorney fill the role of acting Town Manager, Christopher Bromson has done a good job so far in keeping the town moving forward. As an observer at the last Council meeting I was impressed with his ability to lead and he has a firm knowledge of the happenings in Enfield. I also want to complement Deputy Mayor Ken Hilinski for running the meeting in Mayor Tallarita's absence. He showed grace and fairness to the entire Council and the audience, while making the meeting have a good flow.


But, with all that said I do have some concerns about attaining a new Manager for Enfield. My reasons for being a bit uncertain on how the process will be done is based mostly on the politics involved in the removal of the previous Town Manager. I do hope that the entire Council can, at the end of the day, feel that the final decision is an entire team decision.


What really needs to happen, is to make sure that as the placement of a new Town Manager comes our way by May, that we get to witness a non-political decision. The hope is a unanimous vote in hiring a new leader for our town. Whoever is hired needs to be working for all of us and reporting to the entire body of elected officials, not just one party.

The Town Manager needs to feel the freedom to lead without political interference. That does not mean that the Council should not do their job by setting policy and giving direction. But it means that the Town Manager should be able to be open and free to express his or her ideas without reservations, based on the political make up of the Council.


Put yourself in the place of any Candidate for this job. They will know that the position came open in a one party political move. They have to be aware that politics may play into their success. If they had one question in the interview process to ask the Council, I am sure it will be, "who do I work for".


The Council leadership needs to make sure that the answer will be that you work for the people of Enfield, and answer to the entire, unified, Council. The leadership should strive to avoid having this position filled by a split vote. If all Council members agree on the person selected, the new Town Manager will have a better chance of success in the long run.


So here is a word of advise. Seek a unified voice when you make the final decision. Give Enfield a person that has the confidence of all eleven elected Council members. If you do this the residence of your town will credit you with making a wise decision and the new Town Manager will have a better opportunity to hit the ground running.




Greg Stokes