Town manager says goodbye to Lenox

Town Manager Gregory T. Federspiel, at his final Lenox Town Meeting May 9, said:

“Thank you Ken [Fowler], and good evening, everyone.  I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all this attention. 

“It is going to be very hard to say goodbye to so many great people and to a great town. 

“Despite whatever stumbles I have had long the way, I hope that you feel that we have steered a good course as a community.  It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your town manager for the past 14 years.  

“The town is in good hands with an excellent staff and a very dedicated and hard working board of selectmen.

“I am glad that you have come tonight to help guide the town in the upcoming new fiscal year. Managing a town is a collective effort and your contributions are essential.   

 “Events continue to test our mettle as a community. I am proud to report that the town always rallies to support those in need.

“The heroic effort of our paid and volunteer firefighters is just one example of many other heartwarming responses related to the fire at the Curtis. 

“After a productive meeting today, it looks like we should be able to get people back in their apartments very soon.

 “Ken’s theme of needing to confront change is, to quote the British, ‘spot on.’ A town that looks ahead, that tries new approaches and that explores new options is a town that will do well.

 “With the help of the finance committee, we have developed long-range budget and capital project projections. 

“What these important roadmaps show is that if we stay disciplined in keeping down operating expenses with maximum increases of two percent and save resources for future capital needs, we will, after retiring some existing debt over the next four years, be able to address the large infrastructure projects that are looming.   

 “Currently we are lucky to have a larger than normal fund balance, dubbed “free cash” in State Department of Revenue parlance.

“Revenues came in higher than anticipated last year and, especially with the milder winter the year before, expenses were lower than budgeted. Later this evening you will be asked to approve three strategic one-time uses of these available dollars to retire early some existing debt, to better fund our obligations to retirees and to beef up our stabilization account.

 “We are in a transitional period locally, nationally and globally. 

“While the recession has eased, we have entered what is being called a new normal with more limited financial resources. 

“The composition of Lenox residents is changing. Even in our little corner of the world in The Berkshires, we feel the impacts of global geopolitical events and environmental changes. 

“Transitions can be messy and unsettling.

“But as a small town, we have some advantages to help us through turbulent times.  One of our greatest strengths is that we know each other and we rally to support one another in times of personal need. 

“Now if we take this same warm, human response into our civic realm, just imagine how empowering and productive we can be. 

“It’s great that town meeting coincides with National Public Service Appreciation week.

“I encourage you to take some time to read through the town annual report. You will appreciate the excellent work town staff are doing.   

“We have a lot to be proud of, and I encourage you to thank your municipal workers as we celebrate Public Service Appreciation Week next week.

 “Let me do a quick overview of the proposed budget.

 “Overall expenses… here in broad categories is how we spend the $23.7 million:

 “Revenues to pay for this coming mostly from the property tax…

“In pie chart format, with some further details, shows where your tax dollars go excluding capital and the enterprise funds which operate on fees.

“Here we see the majority of expenses related to staff – salaries and benefits.

“Capital funding strategy:

“Tax rate calculation, targeting a two percent tax increase…average home owner paying $93 more in taxes for the year…

“Challenges equal opportunities…

“Again, let me say a heart felt thank you for my time here in Lenox. 

“I wish the town continued success, which I know will be achieved because of the engagement of citizens like each of you. 

“Never forget your ability to create the town you want to have. Be an active participant in the system of local government that affords you great access to the decision making process. 

“Embrace the changes that you decide are needed and never forget to look after your neighbor.

 “On to the articles…”

Posted by George C. Jordan III on May 16, 2013. Filed under Community News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry