Be respectful of career development journeys.

“I cannot remember anyone blaming the Select Board in 2009 when our last town manager left, because it didn’t happen.” [This is] quoted from Beth Malloy, this is a very valid point.

When people reach retirement, celebrate their contributions and wish them well.

When someone takes a career advancement or transition, even outside our beloved community, celebrate their contributions and wish them well.

Retention is important, more often than not people do not take a position for life but as part of their career. How does the town prepare for inevitable transition, career growth and development, opportunities and transitions? These responsibilities fall under the Human Resources Department and Personnel Committee, not micromanaged by a Select Board that, along with the town manager, is part of the governance and collaborative process.

Before the pandemic, for five or six years, Town Hall saw huge turnover, so did the school system and the Fire and Police Departments, and never did I see the selectmen at the time blamed for folks retiring, choosing a different career path and advancements to their own journey — whether it was a fire chief, police chief, town clerk, town treasurer, family services director, admin/support staff, superintendents, principals or vice principals. There was high turnover and internal unrest, but I never heard anyone fault the selectmen at that time. It seems as an example, when someone like Josh Hanna, who was raised here and served as one of our high school vice principals, was able to advance to principal of Franklin High School, we are proud, congratulate and wish them well. Our own town clerk, Connor Degan, is currently running for state representative. If he’s elected, this would expand his career in public service, and Hopkinton should be proud.

This should be true if our town manager is given the opportunity to advance his career and journey. Yes, all these changes are felt as loss, but change is inevitable.

— Darlene Hayes, Hopkinton

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