Long-term contract ahead for Stoughton TM?

Grimm gets glowing evaluation from selectmen

Mary Ellen Gambon
Stoughton Town Manager Robin Grimm got an exceptional review from selectmen, with a long-term contract discussion on the June 16 agenda.

During the Stoughton selectmen's performance evaluation of Town Manager Robin Grimm on June 2, outgoing vice chair Michael Sullivan made a “symbolic motion” to show his “full support and confidence” in her leadership, which was unanimously approved.

This opened up a discussion, led by board member Joseph Mokrisky, that Grimm does not have a contract as town manager with the town, but an employment agreement.

“She has a written agreement for benefits and salary only,” Mokrisky said. “And it has no protection for the town manager. It doesn’t define a term of employment.

“...I hope the board corrects that mistake, sooner rather than later.”

He said that Grimm has far exceeded his expectations and has been one of Stoughton’s best town managers.

“It’s probably one of the most bold statements I’ve ever made about an employee’s performance with the town,” he said.

“My hope is that we have a long-term, permanent town manager,” chair Bob O’Regan added later in the meeting. “One of the things that has held the town back truly has been turnover in that position. And one of the things that will move the town ahead is stability in that position.”

Grimm thanked the board for its praise and constructive feedback and complimented the staff that works with her.

“Let me just say I love the town,” she said, saying that it reminded her of her hometown of Cranston, Rhode Island. “It’s just a great, hard-working town with a lot of passion and personality. I love the fact that our constituency is involved. I’ve said repeatedly that’s why I love municipal government. We can make change every day, and it’s done through the grassroots of the public.”

Grimm added that “job security is paramount.”

Some of the decisions she has to make are difficult, she said, although she noted she will continue to make them. Yet she did not want who is on boards to have an impact on her job stability.

“That’s not in the best interest of the Town of Stoughton, for the people,” she said. “And ultimately, I am appointed by you, but we all work for them.”

Selectman Steve Cavey asked that the contract for Grimm be included on the agenda for the meeting on June 16.

In their evaluation, members commented on Grimm’s professionalism, community outreach skills and ability to meet the objectives she worked out with the board.

“She’s had to deal with some difficult, unusual issues,” Cavey said, “and certainly the COVID-19 and the civil discontent that we’ve been seeing over the last week or more. During that time, her performance as a leader has been exemplary, and she has some very unique values.”

He added that her coworkers have said she is accessible, engaged and caring and has a keen financial acumen that has helped the town through two budget seasons.

Areas for improvement Cavey mentioned were time management, delegating tasks and the number of staff meetings.

Member Christine Howe highlighted Grimm’s team-building skills, contract negotiating prowess and fresh perspective.

“She’s really adopted the community as her own and embraced that,” she said. “It’s evidenced by her open-door policy, social media presence and all the meetings she attends and all the care with which she attends to issues.”

Howe added that Grimm “hit the ground running,” but that she also noticed improvements in her management style over the course of the past year as she got more accustomed to the town.

Sullivan said, as part of the goals the board and Grimm had come up with previously, a plan for better use of town facilities could be a goal for Grimm. Another would be the full implementation of the MUNIS accounting system.

He also spoke of using town staff as liaisons to volunteer boards and committees to improve the flow of communication.

“I’m proud of my vote to select you as town manager,” Sullivan told Grimm. “I took a chance on somebody from Rhode Island, so thank you for not disappointing.”

O’Regan outlined a number of the goals for Grimm. One is improving the reporting on funded projects, such as Glenn Echo, the Capen Reynolds Dog Park and the water treatment plant. Another key goal is to engage developers for the revival of the theater project and the creation of the town green at the post office site.

He noted that the town charter calls for the town manager to act as the professional chief administrative officer of the town, which he said Grimm exemplified.

“She does that very well,” he said. “She does it energetically. She does it with uncompromising dedication.

“She’s aware that some of the decisions she has to make are not easy,” he continued. “She’s willing to make them. She does so in a way that, I believe, lets the community know that her decisions are based on her assessments of what is best for the entire town.”