ATHOL – Town Manager Shaun Suhoski received generally high marks in his most recent performance review by the Athol Selectboard.
“Shaun does a really good job, I think, as reflected in his score,” Chair Rebecca Bialecki said during the board’s last meeting. “I think folks are, overall, very pleased with the performance that we have from our town manager. We want to continue to support him and move forward in working together to make sure we do the best for our town.”
Using a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score, Suhoski received the following grades in several areas of review: skills, knowledge, and technical ability – 4.5; interpersonal skills and customer service – 4.25; quality of work – 4.25; quantity of work – 4.25; work habits and dependability – 3.5; communication – 4.5; economic development – 5; fiscal management – 5; personnel management – 3; overall score – 4.25.
“Well, that was relatively painless,” said Suhoski upon receiving his scores. “I do take constructive criticism constructively, and the areas you called out that I need to focus on (work habits and personnel management), you’re correct, and I will continue to do that. I’m going to do my best. And I certainly appreciate the overall evaluation.
“The board has been very supportive, certainly of me and the mission that we’re carrying forward, and I just want you to know that I appreciate it professionally. And I appreciate it personally because that’s how things get done. Not everything has to be a 5-0 vote or predetermined; the board has a discussion on the issues that have importance, and you reach policy decisions and I’m pleased to carry them out. And I really enjoy working in this town. So, thank you.”
“I think over times of crisis, like we’ve seen recently,” said Bialecki, “I’ve certainly had the chance to work with Shaun closely, knowing that he’s in here all weekend, he and I are back and forth on the phone and exchanging emails all day Sunday making sure things were in place to declare a state of emergency. And I’ve certainly seen similar circumstances in less challenging times. I appreciate all that effort.”
Board member Holly Young recalled harboring some suspicions regarding Suhoski when she first joined the board.
“I thought there’s something sneaky going on on this board,” she said, “and I’ve got to get to the bottom of it, and I’m not sure what that town manager is up to. I had all these ideas. And I got in here, and right away I could tell that I was wrong and that things were being done right. And right from the beginning I thought you were doing an excellent job.”
Board member Lee Chauvette was very complimentary of Suhoski’s economic development efforts, as well as his work on the municipal budget.
Regarding personnel management, said Chauvette, “I wanted to go to 2, but I didn’t feel that it was appropriate so I did take the 3 on that, only because I think, from where you were to where you are now, I think there’s a better process, a better flow. Everything else you do, you do well, so I don’t think you need to concentrate on those as much as on personnel management.”
Board members Stephen Raymond and William Chiasson also both lauded Suhoski, particularly for his work on economic development.