AMHERST — Town Manager Paul Bockelman is citing the continued development of both the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service departments as among this year’s accomplishments in a self-evaluation submitted to the Town Council.
With his annual performance review beginning this week, with the solicitation of feedback from the community, including residents, municipal employees and those who serve on boards and committees, due by Friday at 11:59 p.m., Bockelman has provided the Town Council a 35-page self-evaluation, with an executive summary stating that 2023 has, so far, seen a “remarkable record of achievement for town staff.”
“These accomplishments are a tribute to the quality and commitment of the town’s staff,” Bockelman writes. “The past few years have been very challenging for town staff. I want to recognize their professionalism and accomplishments.”
The annual review is based on six Town Council policies adopted last year, including those related to climate action, community health and safety, economic vitality, housing affordability, major capital investments and racial equity and social justice, as well as seven management goals. Those management goals are administration and leadership, personnel management, finance, infrastructure maintenance, management and land stewardship, community engagement, relationship with the Town Council, and relationship with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College and Hampshire College.
In self-evaluation specifics, Bockelman points to achievements, such as the purchase of the former VFW building on Main Street that could eventually be a site for both affordable housing and a permanent, year-round emergency shelter, and the new five-year strategic partnership with UMass.
Bockelman’s self-evaluation, though, also acknowledges where things fell short, such as on progress on development of a youth empowerment center and associated programs, and creation of a Resident Oversight Board for the Police Department.
Council President Lynn Griesemer said the annual review is providing an opportunity for people to read the self-evaluation at engageamherst.org/town-manager-evaluation-2023 before submitting comments.
All submissions will be read by councilors and Bockelman, but will be exempt from public disclosure as personnel documents.
Submissions can be provided by email to towncouncil@amherstma.gov or by mail to Town Council, 4 Boltwood Ave., Amherst 01002.