"We as a board had no legal authority to rescind this hiring decision because the time had run out," he said. "We had 15 days from the time of notice (to the hire). We did receive an e-mail but didn't have the background information of knowledge until the night he was introduced. The clock had literally run out," Sauvageau said.

It's called GOOGLE and it is a marvelous invention. At a previous selectmen's meeting both Brenda and Bruce said they were going to be in on the interviews of the final candidates for director. Were they there? Did they do their jobs? Where was super woman Marcia Griswold? Wasn't she in on the interviews? Doesn't she have some responsibility in this fiasco? Hasn't she ever heard of the word GOOGLE???  She stood up at the last bos meeting after Bruce fell over himself saying what a great job she is doing as acting director of the library--even though he didn't recognize her when she stood up.

Blame it on the charter Bruce (do I hear more fodder for the charter review committee?). But don't take any responsibility yourself for another screw-up. If the bos had done their jobs, they would have GOOGLED the guy at the very least.

I think 15 days is plenty of time to do your due diligence in the hiring process for a major department head position.  SHAME ON THIS BOARD OF SELECTMEN. The town is humiliated once again because of these self-important, ego-driven, worthless board of selectmen. Just my opinion, of course, and the opinion of every sane person I know in town.

Seriously,
They continue to blame their poor personnel choices and every mistake they make on the charter. What Bruce meant to say was, "make me mayor, take away people's voice at town meeting and I will run this town FURTHER into the ground while you pay me."

C'mon people, we truly need these people to resign. They continue to make mistake after mistake and cannot take the responsibility for their actions.

Enough is enough.

Well, I am going to take a different side on this.  Personally, I don't think that 15 days is an adequate amount of time to truly vet someone, especially if as a Selectman you have a day job, and even if you didn't how would you go about evaluating someone-sit in their office for two weeks?

No, it is the process that is flawed-though I understand Bruce's point- what we need perhaps is an appointed committee that evaluates all potential hires and reports back to both the administration and the Selectmen.  And the committee would have to  be viewed as bi-partisan-I may not like you and you may not like me, but those differences have to be put aside as we deal with what is on our plate.

I have suggested in other venues and will again here, that perhaps some management jobs be shared with other communities and libraries might lend themselves to that possibility.  North Middlesex and Quabbin just started to share a school superintendent, so the thought is not that original.

Dick Paulsen wrote:

Well, I am going to take a different side on this.  Personally, I don't think that 15 days is an adequate amount of time to truly vet someone, especially if as a Selectman you have a day job, and even if you didn't how would you go about evaluating someone-sit in their office for two weeks?

I have to disagree Mr. Paulsen. First, the research should be done BEFORE you reach the point of making an offer. Most businesses have a comprehensive process. Credit checks, legal checks, resume review and more than not a GOOGLE Search. It's not the 15 days that gets you in trouble, it is the period leading up to that. If we had competent people, such as hiring committee (which you suggested), we would not continue to have these problems. Clearly, the Selectmen have allowed this underqualified ITA to take the lead. Even when it is directly in the hands of the Selectmen (Hiring a new TA), they do not allow the town to get involved. It's about control.

I can't speak for the quality of candidates without seeing the resumes, but I would suspect that well qualified people are shunning this town.

So Slager is saying HE broke the story? How pathetic is that. We know he reads this blog like the bible. Of course, his few adoring fans will continue to think he is some sort of reporter. But what kind of journalistic ethics is it that says you can claim you broke a story that was already out there? Disgusting.

Just remember--ragboy also had 15 days to GOOGLE this guy since he is so close to his bos buds he had to have had access to this hire. And he "broke" the story only AFTER it was googled by Bill W who had it up on this blog already. Wow.

Is there any wonder why no one with a brain believes anything he says?

THANKS BILLW FOR BREAKING THAT STORY.

BOBO THANKS FOR READING THIS BLOG TO WRITE YOUR STORY.

"We as a board had no legal authority to rescind this hiring decision because the time had run out," he said. "We had 15 days from the time of notice (to the hire). We did receive an e-mail but didn't have the background information of knowledge until the night he was introduced. The clock had literally run out," Sauvageau said.

I had another thought. We all saw the agenda for Tuesday's meeting. The bos knew in advance they were introducing the new library director since it was an agenda item. Couldn't ONE of them have said--hey, what's this? We don't have any background information on a position as important as a department head. Let's get that info before the 15 days runs out.

OR, hey, we just got an email about this new hire. We don't know a thing about him. We'd better find out before the 15 days runs out.

Oh what a tangled web Brucie.

I have an email from Bruce and he states that it is HIS meeting and he sets the agenda. So, the answer is...yes....