HomeMy Public PortalAboutCommunity Preservation Committee -- 2015-09-09 Minutes (2) community and it is very expensive. Mike Fitzgerald asked what fiscal management practices he has used and
established. Mr. Embury stated hie looks at a five year history. He also sits with the elected officials and
finance committee asking what the parameters are and then, informing the department heads of those
parameters. Each department puts together what they need instead of what they want. Chairman deRuyter
stated that one challenge the Board has faced is in the planning and implementation of public projects in
communities and asked what Mr. Embury's process is. Mr. Embury stated that North Kingston did try 3 times
to have a bond for sewering and it failed 3 times. Public presentations were made and they also used the
Chamber of Commerce as an outlet. It took a year to negotiate a contract. The project was sold to the people
that where going to benefit from it the most. Only those that needed to use it, paid for it. There were
neighborhood meetings with town officials, designers and engineers. Once a week, the businesses came into
the Chamber of Commerce for meetings on the sewer project. Selectman Norton asked how he handles
conflict. Mr. Embury stated it depends on the circumstances; sometimes you need to let the person speak,
sometimes there would be an immediate response from the council, other times it would come later. He does
have little to no staff conflict. Chairman deRuyter asked the difference between working under a Council
versus a Board of Selectman. Mr. Ernbury stated that it isn't really the form of the elected officials, it is the
relationship with them and how you manage. Selectman Foley stated that in April, Mr. Embury wrote a letter
to the editor and to explain what the purpose of the letter was. Mr. Embury said in 2010, there was the start of
negotiations with fire. The Fire service was the most expensive in the community. The Police Department
made changes to their contract to save the town money and the Fire Department was asked to find ways to
save; it Ment to arbitration. Under the Town Charter, the department went from a 4 shift to a 3 shift rotation
with longer work hours. The union made it personal with the elected officials. The Town Council told him
that he needed to write a letter. Any letter he writes in that context is fust reviewed by Town Council. The
end result was the court supporting the Town and it saved the Town quite a bit of money. Selectman Hughes
asked for more background on his open door policy and his management style. He lets the department heads
know that he doesn't have many rules and he isn't there to run their departments. He spends an hour a week
with each of the department heads. Sometimes those conversations can be a little personal, if there is not
much going on in the department. Mike Fitzgerald asked for three of his most important accomplishments and
three failures. Mr. Embury stated the sewering project was one success as well as running the finance
department during budget season when employees left and were out sick. He hired a contractor to do the work.
Part of this was a failure as the audit was late. With his staff and his abilities lie feels he has stayed array from
major failures. Chairman deRuyter asked why he was leaving Kingstown and why look at the Cape. Mr.
Embury likes the similarities between Kingstown and Brewster. Selectman Norton stated that Mr. Embury
once worked as a stone mason and how he sees that experience as well as how working with Little League
adds to his skills. After college, Mr. Embury went to work in the trade and then became the financial
secretary when that position became available. In 3 years with the Little League, not one person asked him
about Town business; it has been kept separate and he enjoys contributing to the community in that way.
Selectman Dickson asked for more detail on what the transition to Brewster would be like. Mr. Embury stated
that he would rent a property and immerse himself in the culture. He would ask the Board what they feel needs
to be addressed. He would be happy with an informal review after 30 days to make sure he is on the right
track. He has only had to release two employees in his time as a Town Administrator. Selectman.Foley stated
that technology is a big part of everyone's jobs now, how might lie use information/technology. Mr. Embury
said the town started a Facebook page. He did express disappointment in the number of people that use his
Town's website. You need to examine your website to make sure you are not giving too much info and that it
is not hard to find. Selectman Hughes asked how Mr. Embury works with his department heads and the
Council to look at policies that need to be changed, including budgeting. Mr. Embury explained that there is a
Committee that puts together a 5 year capital plan, but there never seems to be enough money to fill the
requests. He is looking at a consistent funding source for capital items. Mike Fitzgerald stated that he has
municipal and private sector experience and has seven revenue streams. Brewster has more than that. There is
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