I started formulating this letter when I read an article in the Dec. 7 Harbor News titled “Town Council Gives Kilduff a Raise.”

In that article, Town Council Chairman Chris Aniskovich addressed public concerns that the town manager was not sufficiently in the public eye. I believe this opinion is partly the result of Mr. Kilduff not living in Clinton. Aniskovich then explained that the town manager runs Clinton’s day-to-day operations while the council, through its chairman, is the public face of the town. While this is technically true, it doesn’t have to be the only way a town manager operates. There is a hybrid form that is better. In the same article, Mr. Aniskovich stated, “He’s done a great job, and we are lucky to have him.” I do agree he has done a good job and is well-qualified. He was clearly the best choice for the job in 2019. But now he is leaving our employ.

My family and I lived in Plainville for 28 years with a town manager/council form of government, where I was active in town affairs.

Three different managers served during that time; they all lived in town and were very visible to the public. I don’t remember that ever being a problem; in fact, it seemed to benefit the town and the manager. One manager told me, “I learned things at the grocery store I might never have learned otherwise, adding, I’ve always lived in the towns I have managed”. While it is unfortunate Mr. Kilduff is leaving, it presents a new opportunity.

Now, we have some lessons learned.

Please recruit a new manager with the requirement they live in Clinton. It clearly invests their “skin” in the game to Clinton’s benefit.

Phil Sengle

Clinton

Phil Sengle served on the Board of Selectmen from 2017-’19 and was chairman of the 2019 Town Manager Search Committee.