SELECT BOARD MEETING

Executive Session
Monday, May 16, 2016
Band Room, ARMS
ATTENDANCE
Select Board
Present: Alisa Brewer, Connie Kruger, Doug Slaughter, Andy Steinberg, Jim Wald
Staff: Peter Hechenbleikner, Temporary Town Manager, HR Director Deborah Radway
Meeting called to order by Ms. Brewer at 6:25 p.m.
Steinberg related the nature of negotiations with Ms. Capriola. He indicated that the negotiation process has been
positive and cordial. He and Slaughter, Radway and Hechenbleikner met with Capriola on Monday, May 9 and
established a positive tone to the process. Capriola gave the Town a proposal on May 9 and the Town countered
that proposal in an email on May 12 and held a negotiating phone conference call with her on Friday, May 13.
The negotiating team discussed with her in detail her issues with pay, health insurance, disability insurance,
housing, auto and phone allowances and pension.
Capriola stated that a high priority item for her was nine to 12 months of severance for termination for any
reason, and 12 months severance for a change of government that substantially diminished or eliminated the
Town Manager position. On this item the negotiating team indicated that it would have to seek direction on from
the Select Board on Monday night, May 16. In addition to pay and benefits, Capriola indicated ongoing concerns
including the Charter Commission process, the comparative cost of housing in Amherst, and the significant
difference in pension benefits between Connecticut and Massachusetts. In the conference call on 5-13-16, she
indicated that she would get back to the Town on Monday.
On Monday morning 5-16-16 Capriola called Radway and indicated that she was withdrawing from the position.
Radway asked if there was anything that could change her mind and the response was no. On 5-16-15 the Town
negotiating team agreed that they should approach Mr. Bockelman to determine whether or not he is still
interested in the position. Bernie Lynch reported that Bockelman expressed his continued interest in the position
in Amherst.
The Select Board authorized Mr. Steinberg and Mr. Slaughter, with support from Ms. Radway and Mr.
Hechenbleikner, to find out whether Mr. Bockelman s requested salary and benefits would be in line with the
Towns position.
Due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations it was agreed that there would be no public comment at this time.
On motion by Brewer seconded by Kruger the Board voted to adjourn the Executive Session at 7:01 p.m. on a
roll call vote: _Y___Brewer, __Y__Kruger, __Y__Slaughter, __Y__Steinberg, __Y__Wald
Submitted by
Peter Hechenbleikner,
Temporary Town Manager

SELECT BOARD MEETING

Executive Session
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Band Room, ARMS
ATTENDANCE
Select Board
Present: Alisa Brewer, Connie Kruger, Doug Slaughter, Andy Steinberg, Jim Wald
Staff: Peter Hechenbleikner, Temporary Town Manager; Deborah Radway, HR Director
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Brewer at 6:13 p.m.
Steinberg reported that on 5-17-16 he and Slaughter Radway and Hechenbleikner had received a list from Mr.
Bockelman on what he would be looking for in salary and benefits. The sense from Slaughter, Steinberg,
Radway, and Hechenbleikner was that the requests were generally in line with the Select Boards negotiating
position: $155,000 base salary, plus a car allowance and disability insurance.
Bockelman expressed concern about severance benefits if a new form of government without a Town Manager
were approved.
There was discussion about severance and disability insurance and it was left up to the negotiating team to use
their best judgment and come back to the Select Board for any further direction. On motion by Brewer seconded
by Kruger the Select Board voted 5-0-0 to designate Steinberg and Slaughter to negotiate with Bockelman for a
contract as Town Manager. They will be assisted by Radway and Hechenbleikner.
On motion by Brewer seconded by Wald the Select Board voted to adjourn the Executive Session at 6:50 p.m.
ROLL CALL VOTE: _Y___Brewer, __Y__Kruger, __Y__Slaughter, __Y__Steinberg, __Y__Wald
Submitted by Peter Hechenbleikner, Temporary Town Manager

SELECT BOARD MEETING

Executive Session Minutes
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 - Auditorium, ARMS
ATTENDANCE
Select Board
Present: Alisa Brewer, Connie Kruger, Doug Slaughter, Andy Steinberg, Jim Wald
Staff: Peter Hechenbleikner, Temporary Town Manager; Deborah Radway, HR Director
The Executive Session Meeting was called to order in the Band Room at ARMS by Ms. Brewer at 6:11 p.m.
Strategy with respect to negotiating a contract for Paul Bockelman as Town Manager
Deborah Radway reviewed the status of negotiations with Paul Bockelman to become Amhersts next Town
Manager. The following are the major points:
Start date 8-22-16 agreed
3 year contract agreed
Notice of non-renewal 12 months agreed
Notice of resignation 90 days agreed
Salary - $155,000 agreed
Vehicle allowance - $500/month, converting that to salary at the end of the first year at his option agreed
Cell phone reimbursement per town policy agreed
Annual wage increase on anniversary of employment same as non-union employees. Bockelman would
like to add language that allows the Select Board to grant an additional wage adjustment at their sole
discretion agreed
Sever ant per Special Act agreed
Termination of the contract severance 6 months in the first year, 7 months in the second year, 8 months in
the 3rd year agreed
For first contract if there is a change in government within the term of the contract:
o Management position at same salary and benefits, or
o Severance of the greater of 6 months or paid until 8-21-19. Agreed. Select Board understands that
they want to have an incentive for the Town Manager to continue during transition, and the likely
maximum liability would be no more than the 8 months severance noted above agreed
o If the Town Manager resigns compensation and insurance reimbursements will end
Health and dental insurance same as for other employees agreed
Life and Disability Insurance Term life as offered to other employees; reimbursement of up to $3000
annually for long term disability insurance - agreed
4 weeks vacation for first 2 years, then 5 weeks for 3rd year; up to 8 weeks may accrue agreed
Grant of 12 days sick leave on first day of work, and accrue 1 day of sick leave per month no cap on
accumulation, no sick leave buy-back agreed
Personal leave same as for other employees agreed
Resident prior to subsequent contract renewal agreed
Pension Hampshire County retirement system agreed
Professional development MMMA, MMA, ICMA agreed
Transitional expenses up to $5000 during the first 13 months of employment agreed
Performance Evaluation need to have full discussion about evaluation schedule
Indemnification language - agreed
Select Board members Slaughter and Steinberg with Radway and Hechenbleikner are meeting with Bockelman
on Thursday May 26, and will try to address the performance evaluation issue and get a contract written. We are
using the late Town Managers contract as a format and have already begun to draft the contract.
On motion by Brewer seconded by Kruger the Select Board voted to adjourn the Executive session and go back
into open session at 6:38 p.m. Y Brewer, Y Kruger, Y Slaughter, Y Steinberg, Y Wald.
Submitted by Peter Hechenbleikner, Temporary Town Manager