Selectmen Give Town Manager Bill Ross High Marks in Evaluation

Three years after arriving in Mansfield to be the new town manager, it appears Bill Ross will continue to serve in that capacity for the foreseeable future.

With the selectmen performing their evaluation of Ross at their May 1 meeting, the town manager was given an average score of 9.79 out of 10. The selectmen praised Ross for his job in Mansfield and his leadership ability.

"I think all five of us have the same exact same message here. As close to perfect, I think that’s what you’ve been," Selectman Jess Apowitz said.

Across the board, Ross was given high marks by the selectmen in six categories. In legislative relations and responsiveness to the selectmen, school committee, town meeting representatives, Ross' average score was a 10 out of 10 with an emphasis on providing information for town meetings and ability to work with others well.

"Even three years ago to now that was the big battle of dropping athletics, now we have the budget done weeks in advance," Chairman Olivier Kozolowski said. "We’re in a really good place now and it’s due in a large part to you."

In PR and communications, the selectmen gave an average score of 9.7, praising Ross for holding meetings with the council of aging and one member of the board commented that, "his presentations are worth the price of admission."

Ross also received a 9.7 in budget preparation and information and managerial skills. One comments called budget prep one of Ross' strong points and viewed Ross' open-mindedness and tenancy to stick with a decision after looking at all he facts a positive.

"I really appreciate the way you approach problems. I appreciate how you try to stay in the middle," Selectman Doug Annino said. "You’re very professional and very approachable."

The town manager's lowest score came in direction and supervision of town organization where he scored "only" a 9.3. Highlights included the minimal disruptions when hiring a new Town Clerk and secretary for the selectmen. Ross' only criticism came here concerning the time he took in handling the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department.

In the final category of personal and professional growth of town manager, Ross was awarded a score of 9.8. One selectmen said that the town is in a better place because of his abilities as a town manager.

Ross said he was humbled by the confidence the board has in him.

"I take my job very seriously and in the end the community belongs to the people. We have an obligation to do the best for them," Ross said.