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Collins Center Pens New Publication on Development Agreements
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The Collins Center's newest publication Understanding & Crafting Development Agreements in Massachusetts is now available on the Center's website. The report is meant to be a primer for municipal officials, community members, and developers involved in large scale or particularly complex developments in Massachusetts.
First, the report explains the real estate development business from the developer's perspective. It then identifies the components of a typical development agreement, describes how agreements change and grow over time, and it offers an outline of the negotiation process. Finally, the appendices contain five sample development agreements and highlight interesting provisions that may be "food-for-thought" during negotiations. Links are provided so readers can access copies of the actual agreements referenced.
The report was funded by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to provide general information regarding development agreements to municipalities that may be considering a proposal from the developer of a gaming establishment and special call-out boxes within the report provide additional information geared toward potential host or surrounding communities. However, the report can be broadly used by all communities in the Commonwealth. The information provided in this report was developed by the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is not responsible for its content.
Despite the report's valuable guidance, municipal officials are strongly encouraged to work with a team of qualified professionals to guide them through the development process and to make sure the agreement is in the best interest of the community at large.
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Center's Executive Recruitment Practice Busy with Public Sector Search Projects
| The Collins Center has recently completed four executive-level recruitments.
South Hadley has appointed Michael Sullivan as town administrator; prior to serving in the same roles in Maynard, Mr. Sullivan was mayor of Holyoke for ten years.
Reading has appointed Robert LeLacheur, to succeed retiring Peter Hechenbleikner, the Town's first Town Manager, who had served in that position for over 25 years. Mr. LeLacheur had previously served as the Town's Finance Director for seven years.
Great Barrington has appointed Jennifer Tabakin as town manager. Ms. Tabakin comes to Great Barrington from a position as senior program manager in the Office of the Mayor of New York City.
The Medford Housing Authority has appointed John Coddington as executive director. Mr. Coddington previously served as director of leased housing for the Boston Housing Authority and has almost thirty years of experience as an executive director of local housing authorities, including those in Everett and Beverly.
The center has three executive recruitments underway. All are expected to be completed during the June/July period. The center is helping Dracut in the search for a new town manager to replace retiring Dennis Piendak, who is retiring after 25 years of service. The center is also assisting Topsfield recruit a new town administrator to replace retiring Virginia Wilder, the town's first town administrator. In addition, the center is assisting the Somerville Retirement Board hire its first executive director. Profiles of all these jobs and procedures for applying are on the Collins Center website.
Since its founding in 2008, the center has completed over twenty senior executive recruitments for Massachusetts municipalities. In addition to managers/administrators, the center has assisted in the hiring of police chiefs and finance directors, as well as retirement and housing professionals.
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Round Two of the Collins Center State Performance Management Fellows Program
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New Recruitment Underway
In January 2012, nine talented graduate students became the first group of State Performance Management Program Fellows at UMass Boston's Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management.
Student fellows enjoyed an unparalleled opportunity to work with top officials in the Patrick-Murray administration as well as nationally-recognized subject matter experts in government strategy formulation at the Collins Center. After receiving formal training in performance management, they were then assigned to work with a Collins Center consulting team tasked with implementing performance management in State government.
According to Collins director, Stephen McGoldrick, "The first group of fellows exceeded our expectations in advancing the goals of the performance management team. While learning about performance management, they were also gaining good communication and analytical skills as well as insight into the nature of government activities and operations. As a group, they have been remarkably successful in advancing their own careers as well." These young professionals are working as analysts and planners. Five are working in Massachusetts state government while three are working in municipal positions. In addition, one fellow is working as an organizational consultant for a major Boston medical center.
The Collins Center hopes to build on the success of its first group of fellows. Recruitment is now open for the next round of training. Positions will be full- or part- time during the summer, with the potential to continue into the fall. The application deadline is June 20, 2013. Fellows will be compensated at the rate of $15 per hour. Those seeking academic credit for the fellowship must coordinate with the fellowship director and their graduate program director.
For more information, and to apply, please visit
www.umb.edu/cpm/collins_center_performance_management_fellowship
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Center Makes Operational Recommendations to Medford Housing Authority
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 The Collins Center conducted a management and operations analysis of the human resources and procurement functions of the Medford Housing Authority in July 2012. This analysis followed a federal audit of procurement practices that identified several deficiencies related to bid solicitations, contractor selection, and other areas.
The Collins Center team found that, although the Housing Authority was in a transitional period prior to naming a permanent executive director, many of the deficient procurement practices had been, or were in the process of being, addressed during the time of the study. The Center made recommendations relating to the need for updated and standardized policies and procedures, both for procurement and for human resources functions. Furthermore, the Center team recommended that since the procurement function had been fragmented it be centralized under the Division of Finance.
Other recommendations included updates to its job descriptions, establishment of comprehensive and updated policies and procedures, and the need for an employee classification and compensation review for its employees.
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Contracting with the Collins Center
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Agreements between local governments and the Collins Center are exempt from the provisions of Chapter 30b, the Uniform Procurement Act, since the University of Massachusetts is an instrumentality of the Commonwealth. Municipalities may negotiate a scope of services and a price with the Collins Center directly, saving both time and money. Similarly, Massachusetts state agencies may enter into Interagency Service Agreements with the Collins Center. For further information, please contact Stephen McGoldrick at stephen.mcgoldrick@umb.edu.
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The Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management
John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125
Phone: 617.287.4824
FAX: 617.287.5566
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Volume 5, Issue 3
May 2013
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Collins Center in the News
Gridlock likely, Says Report
The Beacon-Villager, May 20, 2013
Work on Regional Emergency Dispatch System Continues
The Springfield Republican, April 29, 2013
Somerville Looking for First Executive Director
Pensions & Investments Online, April 24, 2013
Meeting on Land Parcel Now May 19
Boston Globe, April 14, 2013
Sherborn Selectmen Finalize Town Meeting Warrant
The Sherborn-Dover Press, March 21, 2013
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About Ed Collins
Throughout his outstanding public career, Edward J. Collins, Jr. epitomized the spirit and goals of the center that now bears his name. We at the Collins Center are proud to continue the work of Ed's life - helping governments work effectively and productively for the benefit of their citizens.
More about Ed Collins
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