Good Performance Review Earns Town Manager Raise

The Framingham Board of Selectmen gave new Town Manager Bob Halpin a largely favorable performance review for his first six months on the job, clearing the way for a contractually agreed upon raise. 

Selectmen rated Halpin on a host of specific job skills, in addition to how well he fared on six specific job goals.

Overall,  Selectmen rated Halpin's performance at a 3.8 on a scale of 1-5, with 4 meaning "meets and often exceeds expectations." 

"The early feedback has been that this is a good match," said Selectman Dennis Giombetti. "Overall, the evaluation was very positive." 

Selectmen chose Halpin in April to replace former manager Julian Suso, whose contract was not renewed.

Halpin and Selectmen later agreed to a three-year-contract at a salary of $165,000 a year, with a chance to boost that rate to $170,000 with a positive first job review. 

Halpin received particularly high ratings from the board for his work on helping to move the downtown traffic and street-scape project forward, for striking an energy services contract and for his work on revamping the town's property valuation and assessment practices.

Some of his lowest scores came for his work on improving human resources functions and for work towards identifying possible areas for rezoning, which he acknowledged is a work in progress. 

Chairman Charles Sisitsky said he has heard mainly positive feedback from residents on Halpin's hiring as well. "A large number of people have mentioned to me how impressed they are and that they see him all around town at all kinds of events," he said. 

Halpin said while the job has lived up to its billing as "challenging, fast-paced and dynamic," he has been impressed with the support of staff, elected officials and residents.

"I share the same sense that others have that a lot is possible," he said.