Photo: Patrice Garvin, Belmont’s town administrator

After receiving a positive job evaluation two weeks ago, the Belmont Board of Selectmen at its April 22 meeting increased Belmont’s Town Administrator Patrice Garvin’s paycheck so she’s a bit closer to what her peers in town government are taking home.

In addition to salary and merit raises for Garvin, the town administrator presented a list of goals for this coming fiscal year, according to the town’s Human Resources Director Jessica Porter

The selectmen provided Garvin, who began her tenure in Belmont in January 2018, a two percent cost of living increase and two percent merit payment retroactive to July 1, 2018 (the first day of the fiscal year 2019) and an identical pay and merit package hike effective this July 1.

In addition, the board increased the town administrator’s vehicle allowance from $2,400 to $7,500 as of July 1 to assist her daily commute from her Chelmsford home.

Garvin’s total compensation package on July 1 will be approximately $189,300. Her starting compensation was $170,400.

The final package still leaves Garvin behind the average compensation of $206,450 for town administrators and city managers of 14 comparable nearby municipalities, according to an analysis by Porter.

Garvin presented the board with her goals and their subsequent objectives for the coming year. They include providing financial leadership, improving the overall effectiveness and efficiency of town government and promoting economic development.

The complete list of goals and objectives are below:

GOAL 1:  Finance/Budget

The Town Administrator shall work closely with the Selectmen, Warrant Committee, Capital Budget Committee, Town Treasurer and Town Accountant in providing financial leadership, to provide a balanced budget to Town Meeting.

Objectives:

1. Work with the Superintendent to develop two operating budgets for FY21. One with an override and one without.
2. Continue to work with Finance Team to develop five year budget forecasts.
3. Work with the Financial Task Force II to assist them in providing the Board of Selectmen Financial recommendation.
4. Seek out grants and other funding sources that will take pressure off of the operating budget.

GOAL 2:  Operations/Service Delivery

The Town Administrator shall strive to establish a positive working environment with employees, to ensure the best delivery of services to the residents of Belmont. 

Objectives:

1. Continue to inform and educate staff through department head meetings, and through moral building exercises.
2. Continue to conduct reviews for all non-union employees.
3. Support the HR Director in negotiating successor agreements with collective bargaining units.
4. Work with the departments to ensure that the most productive, cost efficient services are being provided to the residents.
5. Assist with shepherding major building projects to completion (i.e., Belmont High School Project, DPW Building, Police Station, etc.).

GOAL 3:  Open and Transparent Government

The Town Administrator shall keep the selectmen and citizens informed of governmental activities and strive to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of Town government.

Objectives:

1. Maintain that all materials are made public on the town website; better utilize other digital resources; keep all other web content current.
2. Ensure that all selectmen minutes are up to date and approved in a timely manner.
3. Establish a way to continue to use social media to disseminate information.

GOAL 4:  Economic Development

The Town Administrator shall work to promote economic development.

Objectives:

1. Work with the Business Study Group to provide the final deliverable of their charge.
2. If an Economic Development Committee is formed work with that committee and the Business Study Group to foster ways to improve on what has been identified.
3. Continue to work and build relationships with the business community.

GOAL 5: Public Communication

The Town Administrator shall be an active participant in the Belmont Community.

Objectives:

1. Attend community events as time allows.
2. Continue working with committees/boards and elected officials to advance projects in town.
3. Continue to work with Belmont Media.
4. Continue to be open to all residents’ concerns and connect them to the town departments that will assist.

GOAL 6: Personal and Professional Growth

The Town Administrator shall pursue professional development opportunities. 

Objective:

1. Attend professional meetings, seminars and conferences including the ICMA, MMA annual conference and regional meetings. 
2. Apply to become a candidate under the ICMA Certified Managers program.
3. Continue to reach out to neighboring communities and to identify areas of possible regional efforts.