The town is intent on creating a succession plan to prepare for a key employee’s departure.
The Select Board twice spoke about the need for the plan, once with town administrator Diane Kendall on March 21, and once with Kurtis Grassett, the director of public works, on March 14.
A succession plan is being proactive about an employee’s departure, explained Kendall. “It’s preparing, rather than reacting,” she said, in a phone interview Friday. “It’s a long-term approach.” She attended a training seminar about the subject less than two weeks ago. She said the plan could include evaluating employees, their skills and their goals.
The board’s interest in creating a plan comes as Charlie Stevenson, the longtime code enforcement officer, steps down. The board appointed Dario Carrara, who holds the position in Peterborough, to replace Stevenson, who agreed to be Carrara’s deputy.
When asked if there were other departures, Kendall said Grassett spoke about succession planning with the board at its March 14 meeting.
Grassett said he has not given notice to the board and that a succession plan is vital to any organization’s success.
“Good management plans for the eventual replacement of all your key people. That’s a standard business practice,” he said. “What happens if I get run over by a truck or we lose our lead foreman?”
The town is also in the process of drafting a request for proposal to hire a consultant to prepare a compensation analysis and plan. The consultant would be funded by a $5,000 appropriation voters approved at Town Meeting. The analysis would include a study of all full-time, and some part-time, positions.
The purpose of the plan is to determine if compensation the town provides its employees is competitive with neighboring municipalities, and review how its employees receive raises. Employees currently receive raises through step increases.
Benji Rosen can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 228, or brosen@ledgertranscript.com.