Bourne Town Manager Receives Improved Performance Score from Selectmen

BOURNE – Bourne Town Manager Thomas Guerino has received a slight improvement in scoring from his latest job performance review.

Selectmen conduct the evaluation before each town election, as per the town’s charter. Last year, Guerino received a score of 1.5 out of 4, a number which jumped to 2.16 this year.

The Town Manager was scored based on his relationship with selectmen, management of finances and the town as a whole, public relations and accomplishments toward town goals.

This year, selectmen held their performance evaluation at a meeting the day before town elections. Stephen Mealy, who was Selectmen Chair prior to the town elections, said that, while Guerino’s handling of the failed Proposition 2 ½ override was strong, there are still areas he could improve on.

“Although an open door policy has been used throughout his entire tenure, the policy has fallen now into a steady stream of individuals entering unannounced and without appointments into the office,” Mealy said at the meeting. “It’s taking up considerable time, and distracting the Town Administrator from managerial tasks.”

Mealy also brought up some decisions Guerino made without first reviewing with the board. He said Guerino approved payments for legal invoices and developing a union contract without first discussing them with selectmen, though he was not under any technical infractions in doing so.

The majority of the board did feel that other board members could have done more to help Guerino, according to Mealy.

The general consensus, however, points to a need for Guerino to more consistently communicate with the board, Mealy said.

Guerino has served as town manager since February 2005.