|
McGarry selected as new town manager of Hopkinton |
|
Friday, 06 November 2009 |
Council chooses acting Town Manager of Smithfield.
By ANDREW MARTIN
HOPKINTON – After about five months without a Town Manager, the Town Council unanimously concluded its search on Monday night.
William A. McGarry, of North Kingstown, was selected as the new Town Manager. Before coming to Hopkinton, McGarry served as Acting Town Manager in Smithfield, a role he filled three times before. He was also the chief of police for the last 13 years.
McGarry’s background includes 38 years in law enforcement, including time as a division staff inspector in the administrative services division of the Rhode Island State Police. He is also an instructor in strategic planning and former teacher at Bryant University’s Institute of Police Leadership Development.
He received bachelor degrees from Bryant in business administration and criminal justice. He also received a master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island in public administration.
In his letter of consideration to the town, McGarry wrote that the organizational format and operation of town government in Hopkinton and Smithfield, where Bryant is located, are virtually identical. He pointed to such similarities as the council establishing town-wide policies and enacting ordinances while also adopting the annual budget and appointing the town manager.
While serving as Acting Town Manager in Smithfield, McGarry wrote that he gained valuable experience in working with the council and implementing its requests and policy direction. Also, he felt he was chosen for that position because of his ability to “provide leadership and stability during interim periods.”
McGarry is set to begin working on Monday, Nov. 9. His salary will be between the advertised range of $75,000 and $81,900.
The previous Town Manager, William DiLibero, left his post during the summer for the same position in Charlestown. Filling his shoes in the meantime was Linda Urso, who had previously served as acting manager.
The council made sure to thank Urso for helping the town for a second time when it was without a manager.
“You’ve always been available whenever we’ve needed your help,” council Vice President Sylvia K. Thompson said. “I know you’ve given up hours with your family and you didn’t need this extra work, but you did it and you care about this town and we appreciate it.”
Council President Thomas E. Buck agreed with Thompson. “And you have made my job a lot easier,” he said to Urso.
In other business, the council voted unanimously to set its next meeting on Nov. 16 as the date to consider adoption of amendments to the town’s groundwater and wellhead protection amendment.
Town Solicitor Patricia Buckley explained this update to the ordinance will bring the map into conformity with the wellheads identified by the state. The map will include four new wells since it was last amended in 2004.
Three of those, Buckley noted, are grouped together and, as a result, insignificant in terms of changes to the map. She said the one of any true significance, which will receive a new primary protection area, is for an elderly housing development Saugutucket Springs.
Other amendments to the ordinance are language changes that Buckley also called insignificant. They include the fact that the map must be updated twice a year so it isn’t left untouched for another five years, she said.
The council then thanked Town Planner James Lamphere for spearheading this project, which was also worked on by a number of boards and commissions. He also showed appreciation for the help from the Geographic Information System (GIS) Department in making the wellhead map.
|
