By Carol Britton Meyer

Town Manager Jennifer Constable earned high marks and a pay raise in her first performance evaluation during this week’s select board meeting.

An executive session was held before the start of the meeting to conduct contract negotiations with Constable and to discuss her evaluation summary.

Once the board returned to open session, Chair Irwin Nesoff explained the process before presenting a summary evaluation compiled by Clifford & Kenny, the town’s law firm, from individual evaluations from the five board members.

Each board member met individually with Constable to discuss her self-evaluation, and feedback on her performance also was accepted through a random sampling of department head comments.

Constable was evaluated on her performance in 10 areas related to individual characteristics, professional skills, relations with the select board, policy execution, reporting, citizen relations, staffing, supervision, and fiscal management.

In six of the 10 categories, Constable was rated between 4 (achieved) and 5 (exceeded) the requirements. On the other four, she was rated between 3 (ongoing) and 4 (achieved).

“Overall this is a very positive evaluation, with the town manager coming out of her first year and working with a majority of new select board members,” Nesoff said. “This is a very strong evaluation, and we congratulate her.”

Based on Constable’s performance during her first year on the job, the board approved a 3% raise retroactive to her August 16, 2024 anniversary date. Constable’s initial salary was $190,600.

Constable thanked the board for its support and said she’s looking forward to working with members and the community.

“We’ve accomplished a lot,” she said.

“This was the first time the board has gone through this exhaustive process, and the town manager was very cooperative, assisted by the Clifford & Kenny firm,” Nesoff said.

The select board unanimously voted to accept the consensus evaluation.

“The summary document will be made public, and people can request to see it at town hall,” Nesoff said.

In other business…

The select board granted approval to hold National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, December 14, at Hull Village Cemetery. The event is hosted by American Legion Post 140. The wreaths will arrive at 10 a.m., with a short ceremony beginning at about 11:45 a.m., according to Legion representative David Irwin.

The wreaths will be laid on veterans’ graves around noontime to remember and honor their service.

“We’ll need 20 to 25 volunteers to help out,” Irwin said. “We’re hoping for good weather and a smooth operation.”

The Wreaths Across America commemoration started last year, “with Daley & Wanzer taking the lead,” Constable said. “It was a great success, and it’s good to see it come back.”

Irwin praised the efforts of American Legion Commander Jim Richman in helping to create this tradition.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed and support our work with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.