Town Manager 2021 Evaluation

Town Council Gives Town Manager Strong Marks and Extends Contract to 2025 - Bockelman’s Strong Leadership Confirmed by Council Actions

December 8, 2021- The Amherst Town Council has completed Town Manager Paul Bockelman’s annual performance evaluation. The vote was held during Executive session on Monday, December 6th and a public vote will be held during the Public Meeting on Monday, December 13th at 7:30 PM. Bockelman was appointed to the position in August of 2016.

The Council rated the Town Manager across the six policy and five management goals. Policy Goals include: Climate Action; Community Health and Safety; Economic Vitality; Four Major Capital Investments; Housing Affordability; and Racial Equity and Social Justice. Management Goals include: Administration, Leadership, and Personnel; Finance; Long-Term Vision; Community Engagement; and Relationship with the Town Council. Most goals were rated Commendable – the highest rating - or Commendable/Satisfactory with the highest ratings assigned to Finance and Relationship to the Town Council. Ratings were lower in the areas of Economic Vitality; Administration, Leadership, and Personnel; and Community Engagement.

“Paul continued to provide strong and innovative leadership to the Town of Amherst. When confronted with the economic realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his team have worked hard and in collaboration with our community partners to create a path forward,” said Town Council President Lynn Griesemer. "As we move forward to the transition to the next Town Council, we also look forward to working with Paul to ensure a sound future for the Town.”

Consistent with the conditions of his contract, Bockelman will receive a cost-of-living raise of 2%. He has also chosen to convert his car allowance of $500/month into salary, and is no longer taking disability insurance for which he received $3,000 per year from the Town. After receiving feedback from the public including town committee members, staff, and all Town Councilors, the Town Council, has extended Bockelman’s contract for two years, ending on August 31, 2025.

“It is an honor to work for the Town of Amherst. And it is a real privilege to work alongside so many talented and committed Town staff,” Bockelman said. “I especially appreciate the opportunity to work with the first Town Council in the history of Amherst. We have done great work together and I look forward to continuing strong relationships with the incoming Councilors.”

The performance evaluation documents are available on the Town website at www.amherstma.gov/tmeval