Quiet Testimonies - Gulemo

Hebron’s InterIm town managers:
tHe FIrst 60 Days
Michael O’Leary (Director of Planning), Donna Lanza (Executive Assistant),
and Andrew Tierney (Director of Public Works) have been working
as a team to serve as interim town managers since Jared Clark’s departure.
As a result, town government hasn’t “missed a beat,” according
to Jeff Watt, BOS Chairman.
On March 12, former Town Manager Jared Clark notified the Hebron
Board of Selectmen that he was resigning. His last day of employment
was April 19.
The Selectmen wasted no time, especially given the fact that the town
was in the middle of budget season. On March 26, they appointed
three long time staff members, Andrew Tierney (Director of Public
Works), Michael O’Leary (Director of Planning), and Donna Lanza
(Executive Assistant) as interim town managers to fill Clark’s spot.
The term of service for Tierney, O’Leary, and Lanza in this capacity
expires on June 25. Continuation of their interim town management
roles is on the Selectmen’s June 4 agenda.
Word on the street is that Hebron residents are
very pleased with the current arrangement.
“I called several times about some garbage that
had been dumped on the street next to me,”
said one local resident, who wishes to remain
anonymous. “Nothing happened until the new
team took place. I called again when I heard
about [their appointment as interim town
managers], and the next day, all the trash was
gone. I know I’m pleased!”
Lanza stated the three interim managers
believe their biggest accomplishment in the
last couple of months was getting the town
budgets passed on May 5. “We worked hard
to provide detailed information on the budget,
and especially all the reductions we made to
previous year’s spending. We also wanted to
assure residents that Hebron would continue
to provide the same level of service they are
accustomed to.”
Village Shoppes
127 Main Street
Hebron, Conn.
Monday ~ Thursday
10 a.m. ~ 5:30 p.m.
The Sharpening Tools Center
Sharpening
Tools of All Kinds
For the Workshop
Chain saws, Saw blades
Carbide Blades, Hole Saws, Drill Bits
Lenox and Milwaukee Drill Bits
For the Gardener
Garden Edgers and Shovels
Hedge Trimmers
Mower Blades
Large selection of Pine,
Cherry, and Oak Furniture
and Accessories at
Savings up to 50 Percent
For the Household
Scissors
Knives
Hair Clippers
Renald Champagne 6 Hunt Road, Columbia, CT 06237
860-228-3190
228-9928
Fax 228-2984
Friday 10 a.m. ~ 8 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. ~ 5 p.m.
Other accomplishments by the management team include successful
negotiation of three collective bargaining agreements, and continuity
and communication with Town Departments and the public.
Jeffrey Watt, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, is also pleased with
Tierney, Lanza and O’Leary’s efforts.
“The Selectmen feel their experience ensured the town didn’t miss a
beat during the transition,” said Watt. “They worked with other employees
to find ways to reduce town expenses for next year; the savings
noted in the approved budget can be attributed to this team and their
relationships with town employees. They have a strong ability to work
together for the benefit of the residents, and at the same time they
made sure no one lost their job.”
“Besides working hard on the FY 2009-10 budget, Andy, Mike and
Donna have been focused on bringing to reality the start of the water
project on Main Street, starting up the Main Street façade development
for commercial business, working with EDC committee, working with
state and federal government on obtaining grants for Village Green,
planning construction work to be on intersection of Routes 66 and
The Hebronian June 2009 Page 10 E-mail your news to: hebronian@gulemo.com
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