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Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of June 14, 2022

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) Advisory Board met at 9:10 AM, at 15 Blandin Avenue, Framingham, MA, at the call of Joe Nolan, Advisory Board Chair/Wayland to interview recommended candidates for MWRTA Administrator presented by the Administrator Search Committee (ASC).

A roll call of members present was conducted; in attendance were: Joseph Nolan/Wayland – Chair, Kristina Johnson/Hudson, Colette Aufranc/Wellesley. Kevin McCabe/Dover, Mike Tusino/Framingham (arrived at 9:55 AM), Linda Marshall/Holliston, Josh Ostroff/Natick, Jean MacQuiddy/Weston, Debra Galloway/Sudbury – Clerk.  Robert Wolff/Sherborn (noted that he would need to leave early); Carole Mullen/Hopedale.

Virtual Attendance: Trish Pope/Marlborough, Ed Burman/Ashland – Vice-Chair (joined at 11:59 AM).

Also participating: Ed Carr/Administrator, Patrick Moynihan/General Counsel, Linda Murtagh/Executive Assist & HR Manager, Daniel Fitch/IT Consultant, Ray Ledoux (ASC Chair),  Paul Spooner/ MWCIL (ASC member), and Ray Santilli (Community Paradigm ASC search consultant).

Not participating: Martin Healey/Southborough, and Mary Jo Lafreniere/Hopkinton.

With a quorum declared present, the meeting was called to order at 9:08AM with Mr. Nolan, Chair, presiding.

Administrator Search Committee Report: ASC Chair Mr. LeDoux gave the board a brief overview of the process the committee followed in coming up with the recommended candidates. He thanked the members of the ASC, Mr. Nolan, Mr. Spooner, Mr. Burman and Ms. Galloway for their participation and good work. Mr. LeDoux, who previously served as the long time Brockton Area Transit Authority Administrator, spoke of the challenges of the position, particularly in these uncertain times, and the qualifications necessary for an individual to possess in order to serve effectively as administrator. He expressed to the board his confidence that both candidates presented for consideration by the board possess not only the qualifications but also the qualities to serve the MWRTA successfully and well.  

Overview of Administrator Search process: Mr. Santilli, Senior Associate with Community Paradigm, introduced Bernard Lynch, the firm’s president who joined virtually, and proceeded to present the search consultant’s report. He reviewed the steps taken to widely advertise the position and stated that ten (10) applications were received by the published deadline, and that five (5) were chosen for the initial interview. He reported that the initial interviews were conducted by the ASC, with himself, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Carr and Mr. Moynihan participating, and that each candidate was asked the same questions regarding management style, contract administration, finances, capital assets, relationships with local, state and federal officials, marketing, and transportation industry issues.  Based on the needs of the MWRTA and the desired attributed of the next Administrator, Mr. Santilli stated that the ASC recommends forwarding the candidacy of Eva Willens and James Nee to the full MWRTA Advisory Board, and that Mr. Santilli and Mr. Lynch concur with this recommendation.

Mr. Ostroff asked for additional information concerning the quality of the candidates and the overall quality of the job market for such positions. Mr. Santilli noted that his firm had conducted three searches in the past ten months and five over two years. He stated that the number of interested candidates applying for the MWRTA position was consistent with those previous searches. Mr. Ostroff further expressed his appreciation to the board for deciding to conduct the search utilizing a consultant.

Mr. Nolan introduced first candidate for interview, Eva Willens of Natick, and proceeded to review the format of the interview, which will include the opening statement by the candidate, first round of questioning conducted by Mr. Santilli, who will ask each candidate similar questions, and second round questioning by board members.

Ms. Willens gave an opening statement in which she stated that she was honored and excited to be selected as a finalist, and expressed appreciation for the opportunity. She went on to give a brief intro of her personal and professional background, and laid out her general management philosophy featuring budget management, attracting and retaining quality employees and providing excellent customer service. She noted that she has been with the Authority for 15 years, beginning at its inception. Ms. Willens also disclosed for the record that she has family members who currently employed by MWRTA. She advised the board that she has been in contact with the State Ethics Commission and was advised that in the event she is appointed to the position, a formal full disclosure of the relationships will need to be made to the advisory board, which will then determine how the Authority will handle any potential conflicts...

Mr. Santilli presented his questions to Ms. Willens around issues such as current condition of the MWRTA, performance standards, regional transit challenges and ways to address them, relationship with advisory board members and working with other RTAs. Board members were then afforded the opportunity to ask individual questions of Ms. Willens.

Upon the conclusion of Ms. Willens’ interview at 10:18 AM, Mr. Nolan called a brief recess of the board.

Mr. Nolan called the meeting back to order at 10:25 AM, and introduced the second candidate for interview, James Nee of Charlton.

Mr. Nee gave an opening statement in which he stated that he has worked in transportation for 20 years and knows the MetroWest area well having previously resided in Hopkinton. As a daily rider on the Framingham-Worcester commuter rail line, he has witnessed the transformation of public transportation services in Metrowest under the leadership of Ed Carr, particulalry with respect to the Framingham commuter rail facility. He noted that the MWRTA is unique among transit agencies both large and small because it embraces new ideas and is unafraid to take new approaches in providing transportation alternatives to its customers.  Mr. Wolff/Sherborn departed the meeting at 10:36 AM

Mr. Santilli again presented his questions to Mr. Nee, which touched on management of capital projects and operating budgets, grant writing, contract negotiations, and key stakeholder relationships, particularly with the MWRTA communities and advisory board members, as well as relationships with the disabled community, and facilitated board questioning in adherence to the procedure laid out by the Chair.

Upon the conclusion of Mr. Nee’s interview at 11:22 AM, Mr. Nolan called a brief recess of the board.

Mr. Nolan reconvened the meeting at 11:29 AM, opened the discussion, and indicated that Mr. Carr and Mr. LeDoux would start by giving their thoughts on the candidates. Mr. Carr stated that leadership was an important attribute for the position of administrator. He stated that throughout the selection process both candidates demonstrated that they possess the quality to lead. Mr. LeDoux stated that both candidates have strengths and weaknesses, but that the strengths are significant for both and that he would be proud to work for or with either one in their capacity as administrator. He stated that the future of RTAs will be challenging in the next few years with rising costs and shrinking funds.

Mr. Nolan asked for any further comments or questions, particulalry from those participating remotely.

Patricia Pope/Marlborough thought the process went well and felt the candidates were different from each other.

Paul Spooner/MWCIL felt that the candidates both were qualified but different. He went on to highlight which he preferred.

No other remote comments. Mr. Nolan noted the Ed Burman/Ashland is expected to join the meeting soon.

Mr. Ostroff/Natick asked about the voting process and weighted votes.

Mr. Nolan provided each community member the opportunity to offer any final comments on the candidates.

Mr. Tusino inquired as to the potential of conflict of interest with Ms. Willens. Mr. Moynihan explained that Ms. Willens had contacted the States Ethics Commission for guidance, and that he followed up with the commission counsel’s office to confirm the requirements for satisfying the statute. Mr. Moynihan explained the process that would need to be followed to address any conflicts in compliance with the law, and that adherence would not present an impediment to Ms. Willens serving in the position.  

Mr. Burman joined the meeting at 11:59 AM

Mr. Nolan asked Mr. LeDoux about his experience on the next steps relative to voting procedures.

Mr. Moynihan also commented on the process.

A motion made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley:  To accept the nomination of both candidates for the position of Administrator: Seconded by Mr. Ostroff /Natick: Unanimous roll call vote.

The Chair then called for a roll call vote to state the community’s preference:

Framingham – 10.78 votes: Mr. Nee

Ashland – 2.03 votes: Ms. Willens

Holliston – 1.96 votes: Ms. Willens

Natick – 5.50 votes: Mr. Nee

Wayland – 1.34 votes: Ms. Willens

Hopkinton – 1.35 votes: NV

Sherborn – 1.00 votes: NV

Sudbury – 1.75 votes: Ms. Willens

Weston – 1.04 votes: Mr. Nee

Marlborough – 3.62 votes: Mr. Nee

Southborough – 1.66 votes: NV

Wellesley – 3.26 votes: Mr. Nee

Dover – 1.06 votes: Mr. Nee

Hudson – 1.01 votes: Ms. Willens

Milford – 1.63 votes: NV

Hopedale -1.01 votes: Ms. Willens

Weighted vote results: Mr. Nee: 25.26 votes / Ms. Willens - 9.09 votes. Mr. Nee was declared the selected candidate.

A motion made by Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley:  To make the Advisory Board selection of James Nee as Administrator unanimous.  Seconded by Mr. Ostroff /Natick: Unanimous roll call vote.

A motion made by Mr. Ostroff of Natick:  To Authorize the Advisory Board Chair & his designees, assisted by General Counsel to negotiate a contract with Mr. Nee.  Seconded by: Ms. Aufranc of Wellesley: Unanimous roll call vote.

 

Adjournment: 

A motion was made by Mr. Ostroff of Natick:  to Adjourn the Meeting.  Second by Mr. Nolan/Wayland.

The meeting adjourned at 12:28 PM.

  

Certificate

 

The undersigned being the duly qualified acting clerk of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board acknowledges that the foregoing minutes accurately reflect the actions taken at a legally convened meeting of the Advisory Board held on June 14, 2022.

____________________________

Debra Galloway of Sudbury, Clerk

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