CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Selectmen tabled a discussion on Tuesday about how to structure the treasurer and collector position after the debate nearly resulted in a board member's resignation.

 

The board was determining whether to approve increasing an executive assistant's hours to full time so she can be cross-trained in the collector's office. 

 

The treasurer/collector abruptly retired more than two weeks ago and the town hired an interim part-time treasurer; the current treasurer's assistant was elected town clerk last year and has been covering multiple duties. She will step away from the treasurer's office at the end of the fiscal year. 

 

The town needs to devise a short-term solution to fill the gap and cover cases of sickness and vacations, and determine the structure of treasurer/collector's office in the long term. 

 

"I think [cross training is] really important across the board, in the collector's office, in anticipation of the assistant treasurer collector not taking the position again July 1," Town Administrator Jennifer Morse said. "We would have somebody in the office who knew what they were doing and then that would allow us to create the job descriptions we need to create and to see what town meeting wants to do with the positions." 

 

One solution is to increase the executive assistant position to full-time hours because she is already working 19 hours. 

 

But that triggers all the benefits, including health insurance, Selectman Ronald DeAngelis said. 

 

"We're growing with people, but it's a cost, and we have no way of measuring if we're getting anything out of it," he said, adding he believes the town is solving problems by "throwing people at them" instead of finding more efficient solutions. 

 

DeAngelis also highlighted the possibility of contracting out to fill some of the town's needs. 

 

Selectwoman Michelle Francesconi had recused herself from the discussion and left the meeting room because the executive assistant is her daughter.

 

Midway through the board's conversation, Francesconi entered the room and announced her intention to step down because of concerns that her position could be perceived as a conflict of interest and hinder her daughter's professional growth. 

 

This took board members by surprise, with Selectman Raymond Killeen emphasizing that she has always had the support of the board. 

 

Francesconi had handed in a quick letter of resignation but then retrieved it after thinking through her decision. She said later that she had been able to hear some of the conversation, which had gotten louder, and that had prompted her action.

 

"Unfortunately, there are difficult conversations when dealing with staffing challenges. At our meeting, there was a misunderstanding that I felt could be remedied through my resignation from the board," Francesconi said afterward.  

 

"In hindsight, I reflected on the circumstances and recognized how passionate I am about the town and its people. I realized my initial reaction was not the solution to the problem and immediately rescinded my resignation. I remain committed to the community and will continue to meet the challenges and embrace the blessings that we have."

 

DeAngelis said board members should be able to speak their minds without fear of upsetting a "clique." 

 

He packed up his things and left while expressing his opposition to converting a part-time position to full time because of overhead costs.