Town to Tighten Management of Facilities

Three years ago, the Marion Board of Selectmen appointed Shaun Cormier as the town’s director of facilities with the intention of eventually consolidating the management of the various town-owned buildings and structures. On June 29 during a special morning meeting of the selectmen, they decided it was time to do just that.

“At that time, the board felt that it was a very important decision to have our main assets under one control or one oversight,” said Chairman Jody Dickerson. “And I think that was one of the board’s best decisions that we’ve done … but there have been some issues and we thought it was about time we decide where we’re going to go with it,” adding that the board never specified which buildings Cormier would be responsible for and which buildings department heads such as the police chief, fire chief, and DPW superintendent must manage.

Although Cormier has done a fine job keeping up with the management of the facilities, repairs, upgrades, inspections, and maintenance, say selectmen, department heads agree better communication is needed to assist Cormier in his position, as well as more manpower and a bigger facilities maintenance budget.

Town Administrator Paul Dawson asked for board guidance on how to finally accomplish a cohesive facilities maintenance plan.

“Do we begin to consolidate all the building maintenance type line items in all the various town budgets … into one budget and then that allows Shaun … to then begin some real capital forecasting and planning in terms of how we’re going to maintain our facilities moving forward,” Dawson said.

DPW Superintendent Rob Zora questioned whether Cormier already had enough on his plate, asking how the board could accommodate Cormier in his efficiency without overloading him.

“I see his frustration,” said Zora. He suggested Cormier needed more “manpower,” adding, “Because you’re really adding the workload that’s really going to push him over the edge. He’s definitely going to need a bigger budget…. He is like a one-man band right now….”

The board looked over a two-page list of town-owned facilities that went beyond the most obvious DPW building, town house, and fire and police stations, to include Washburn Park structures among others.

“There are facilities that aren’t even in this town that belong to us,” said Selectman Stephen Cushing.

Dickerson pointed out that, unfortunately, facilities is often the first budget that gets cut back.

When asked, Cormier said two crews of two workers would be ideal moving forward. Dawson said the board should lay out a facility plan and the anticipated costs associated with additional employees to present to the Finance Committee and ultimately town meeting.

“When you present a cohesive plan,” said Dawson, “they will support you.”

Police Chief Lincoln Miller said Cormier is always on top of facility needs at the police station, commenting that the system in place, as far as the police station goes, “I think it’s worked very well.”

Fire Chief Brian Jackvony agreed, but suggested the selectmen allow for some “flexibility” between department heads and Cormier, which might give opportunities for both parties to save taxpayers money by comparing quotes for capital projects, such as a recent water heater installation that Jackvony was able to arrange for a quote less than the one Cormier provided.

“I don’t think we want to handcuff any one department,” said Cushing.
Another issue, said Zora, was communication.

“Sometimes I think that I’m in a different town,” said Zora. “And I think communication is huge.” He suggested more frequent meetings so he feels less “out of the loop.”

Selectman Steve Gonsalves concurred.

“They key to all of this is communication,” said Gonsalves. “I feel if that happens, it’s going to avoid what [Zora] said. It’s so simple, yet so complicated…. It won’t take a lot of time but it will end a lot of headaches.”

Dawson said the board should establish a facilities committee of sorts to discuss line items and keep communication open.

“It really is going to mean communication,” said Finance Director Judith Mooney. “It’s not going to be as simple as taking out of a line item and putting in facilities.”

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for July 12 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Police Station conference room.

By Jean Perry

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