Longmeadow Select Board: Crane is meeting expectations

Sept. 1, 2016 | Chris Goudreau
cgoudreau@thereminder.com

Town Manager Stephen Crane recently received a favorable performance review from the Select Board. He received negative and mixed reviews in years one and two, respectively.
Reminder Publications file photo

LONGMEADOW – For his third year performance evaluation, Town Manager Stephen Crane received a higher rating compared to previous years. His overall score from the board was 3.9 out of five – a meeting expectations rating.

During his year one performance review Crane received low ratings from the Select Board and the following year he was given mixed reactions from the board.

Members of the Select Board highlighted areas where Crane has shown growth and those where he needs improvement during its Aug. 15 meeting.

Select Board Chair Marie Angelides said she is in awe of Crane’s talent and believes he is dedicated to fighting for Longmeadow.

“People describe him as a pit bull, but I said, ‘But he’s our pit bull,’” she told Crane. “When he gets after a project you are extremely dedicated and I know that you are going to come up on top. And I know sometimes it gets a little rough, but I know that in the end you’re fighting for Longmeadow.”

She added one of the things she noted in her review is that it’s rare to find a strong leader who can admit that they’re wrong.  

“You will pause when you receive criticism or people express concerns to you,” Angelides said. “And you will change direction when you feel it is appropriate. And that is something that I have learned to respect in you.”

Selectman Richard Foster said he believes every resident has seen improvements with Crane’s relationship with the Select Board and his performance on and off camera.

“It’s been improving every day,” he noted. “Sometimes there’s minor setbacks, but that’s just part of the business. I think we have a board that understands the role and function better of the town manager now.”

The Select Board also hired a facilitator in 2015 to help improve the relationship between Crane and the board. Bernard Lynch, who served as the facilitator, identified challenges such as battles over turf, egos, and lack of communication as issues for the two parties to resolve in October 2015.  

Foster said he believes Crane has shown his true potential in his third year.

“He’s settled in,” Foster added. “He’s a town resident. He’s much more of a team player because he has a vested interest now. He’s made a conscious decision that Longmeadow is where he wants to live and where he wants to work.”

Selectman Mark Gold read part of his performance review for Crane, noting, “The 2016 fiscal year was a year of continued growth and maturation of the work by and relationship between the town manager and the Select Board … But we still have a ways to go to move to a high performing operation where the Select Board and the town manager are working together seamlessly.”

He added although the fiscal year 2017 budget was difficult, Crane received good scores across the board in this area.

Gold said he believes Crane should improve his “bedside manner” in how he deals with the public and the Select Board.

“I’d be remiss if I didn’t go back to the one area that I’m still concerned about and that’s the relationship with the Select Board and preparation for the meeting. I know we can’t always get what we want … but I ask that you pay attention to those areas. Those seem to be the ones that stick out the most in my mind.”

Selectman William Low noted that although he hasn’t served on the board for a long time, he believes Crane has been doing a “heck of a job.”

Crane later told Reminder Publications he believes the review went “very well” this year.

“The evaluation and the comments made and feedback received reflect two key things,” he added. “The first is a team effort on part of the town departments as well as the Longmeadow Select Board. It’s an evaluation, in concept, a single person as town manager, but it’s also an evaluation of a body of work that is a result of a large team working together. The second thing is reflected of the evolution … of my relationship with the Select Board.”

He added he’s achieved professional growth and development and a shared understanding of roles and responsibilities of the town manager and Select Board for both parties has helped improved the working relationship.

Crane said his contract was for a three-year term and ended June 30, but an automatic year renewal clause came into effect when the board did not vote on it.

“We’ve had discussions about renewing it and maybe talking about some of the terms and provisions in it,” he noted.  

When asked if he would consider continuing to serve as Longmeadow’s town manager over the next several years, he stated, “My family has really adjusted well to life here in Longmeadow and we really enjoy being a part of the community. I have every reason to believe that that would continue. It has been documented that I’ve looked at other positions.

“Generally, in this line of work, there’s constantly new opportunities becoming available,” he continued. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking at what other opportunities are out there. I think most people are, but it would have to be something awfully special to get me to rethink being the Longmeadow town manager because I truly believe … that we’ve done great work to get to the point where the environment is much more stabilized and we’re working together to address some challenging problems that have lingered in the community for many years like the [site] for a new [Department of Public Works] facility [and] a new senior center.”

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