Collins Institute Reps Say Sherborn's Government Communication Channels Appear 'Broken'

University of Massachusetts Boston Collins Center for Public Management representatives Richard Kobayashi and Michael Ward presented their final report on Sherborn’s municipal infrastructure to the selectmen Thursday night.

Ward, who presented the findings, said that communication and clarity were two of the biggest issues that the town needs to address.

“Communication channels within the government of the Town of Sherborn appear to be broken and to have been broken for quite some time,” Ward said.

He the talked about “a lack of clarity and understanding about what the Personnel Board’s role and responsibilities are."

He said that interdepartmental organization, purchasing, procurement and payroll is antiquated and inefficient to run the town.

Ward also said that the town “is deeply divided over the issue of development.”

Ward said there is no infrastructure for public sewerage, which would aid in a downtown revitalization and there are bylaws written to reflect and preserve the rural nature of the community.

Regarding civic engagement, he said voter turnout is high but participation in candidacy for office is weak.

He approximated 190 positions held for election in the past 11 years and “only 11 were contested,” meaning that “over the last decade 94-percent of elections in the town were uncontested.”

Their recommendation was to take some of the positions now elected and a make it so they are appointed in view of the lack of choices at the ballot box.

Although it was not a part of their recommendations from the results of their review, Ward said that the board may want take into consideration the possibility of expanding to a five-member board at some point in future.

“It has also come to our attention that there has been a long history of conflict among members of boards of selectmen in the town,” said Ward. He believes it is, “exacerbated by the size of the board."

He said the selectmen should be more focused on setting goals and policies for the town as well.

Regarding a new town administrator, he recommended the town seek to strengthen the role.

In talking to town employees, he noted the term “micromanage” was used in regard to previous town administrator roles.

He said the selectmen should look to focus on policymaking and leave town managing to a stronger administrator role.

Selectmen Paul DeRensis said the board would not be making a decision on the recommendations that night, but they would digest what they heard, reread it and attach it to a future selectmen’s agenda.