2011 Report of the Town Manager
This past year was one of continued progress in the face of unyielding financial challenges for the town of Randolph. Despite an ongoing historic recession, we experienced success in continuing our efforts to improve the quality of life in the town.
The highlight of the past year was the complete renovation of the athletic complex at Randolph High School. The new sports-turf field, track and field facilities, grandstands, and baseball field are a source of great community pride. The new facility will allow for football, soccer, and other community events. The new 400-meter track is the best new track on the South Shore. The opening night football game was a great example of the power of such a new project as the entire community came together to support the town and its young people.
Another signature project was the construction of the new Imagination Station playground. This beautiful new facility features close to 80,000 square feet of new play space, a unique natural playground design, and a splash pad area. Along with the traditional slides, climbers, and play structures, the playground features a sound garden, faux natural items, and a shade structure for parents. Special thanks to volunteer project manager Michelle Tyler for her tremendous leadership and hard work on this endeavor.
Work continued in Crawford Square to bury the existing utility lines. This work will aesthetically enhance the downtown and set the stage for a $2.4 million Public Works and Economic Development grant makeover slated for Spring of 2012.
The Town was awarded a $1 million grant to extend its business district improvement efforts to North Randolph. Through the help of State Senator Brian Joyce and Randolph’s three state representatives, we secured our fourth major State grant in five years.
The Town continues to make progress on our crime rate. This past year, we experienced a 4.5% decrease in the crime rate. That amounts to a decrease of close to 25% in two years. Our police department is combining new technology, relationship building, and good old-fashioned police work to help keep our community safe.
Two budget innovations of the past year were used to keep valuable services and jobs available in the town government. The Town issued Special Permits for two new billboards along Route 24 that will generate revenue for years to come. After purchasing the Hollywell Nursing Home property for $1, the Town was able to auction the property off to a local business for $975,000. Both measures have helped us alleviate the immediate budget pressures and preserve services in police, fire, education, and other important areas.
The Town was able to enter into a contractual agreement with our DPW Laborers, Local #877 which included the Employee Shareholder Option. This places all town bargaining units under the same basic contract linking our revenues to collective bargaining agreements.
The Town also completed negotiation with Verizon to bring a second local cable television provider to Randolph. The Town and its Cable Advisory Committee worked hard to consummate a deal that looked like it may not happen. Hopefully, the consumer will see benefits for many years to come.
The Town Council approved two significant capital programs, including a town-wide water meter replacement. The new meters will allow for more accurate and equitable billing. The other measure was a GPS program for Town vehicles allowing management to track resources and responsibilities in an effort to develop efficiency measures.
In another efficiency measure, the Building and Health Departments were moved from One Turner Lane into Town Hall. This will allow our customers an easier, more-streamlined experience in dealing with Town departments. I want to thank the employees and department heads for the work associated with the relocation.
I am immensely proud of the progress that we are making despite the financial challenges we face. This credit belongs to the hundreds of hard-working men and women of our organization. From the great leadership of our department heads to the daily efforts of every Town employee, we are an organization that aims to be a leader in the provision of municipal services.
I especially want to thank the staff that directly supports my efforts; Administrative Assistants Linda Sproules, and Anne Barkhouse, Assistant Town Manager Brian Howard, and the world’s greatest volunteer Betty McGrath.
Respectfully submitted,
David C. Murphy,
Town Manager
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2011 Report of In-House Town Counsel
This year was a very active and successful year for the Town’s In-House Counsel:
(I) Advice & Legal Documents. I provided legal advice, legal support and legal opinions to the respective members of the Town Council, the Town Manage, and to other Town Officials, Department Heads and Boards relating to a wide variety of issues and subjects; I drafted numerous legal documents including certain Ordinances, Stetson Hall tenant leases, sale of property, employment contracts and those documents necessary for presentation before the Town Council.
(II) Administrative Agency Proceedings. I was involved in a number of administrative agency proceedings on behalf of the Town, including certain employee matters before the Massachusetts Civil Service Commission, the Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA) and the Massachusetts Outdoor Advertising Commission.
(III) Court Appearances. I represented the Town in District Court pertaining to the “Receivership Program” and matters regarding derelict and dilapidated buildings and prepared certain Affidavits and Court filings on various Town matters.
(IV) Labor Issues. I provided advice regarding the interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements and the processing of union grievances. In addition I also provided assistance regarding certain personnel issues, non-union contracts, civil service and arbitration issues. I also worked in conjunctions with the Town’s outside legal counsel on union matters.
(V) Projects. I assisted with various Town projects and issues, including but not limited to, business and real estate matters, non-accessory billboard signs, wireless cell towers, alcohol licensing, cable television licensing, the street-scape project, updating the Town’s zoning bylaws and the underground utilities project; Assisted on certain Building Department, Zoning Board, Board of Health, Historical Commission and Planning Board matters; Provided assistance and advice relative to the Town By-laws, Remote Participation, Rosemount matter, Avalon Communities LIP agreement, Deposition attendances, the State’s Re-Districting and the Open Meeting Law.
(VI) Real Property. I represented the Town in the sale of Town-owned lands located at 1 North Main Street, 70 Lafayette Street and a portion of land known as Parcel “A” at 975 North Main Street.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT F. SULLIVAN
In-House Town Counsel
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