Lambiase officially Town Manager; Moquin gets new title also
Scott Lambiase is now officially Abington’s Town Manager.
Lambiase’s official title since taking the position in April had been Acting Town Manager because he lacked a bachelor’s degree, which is one of the job requirements spelled out in the town charter. Under his contract, he was required to complete his degree program by November; if he didn’t the Board of Selectmen could choose to dismiss him.
Last month Lambiase earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Western Governors University. (He earned a majority of his credits from Northeastern University)
“It was a lot of late nights,” he said.
Lambiase said he wrote a business plan for a food truck for his capstone project.
“It was actually fun,” he said.
Selectmen Chairman Tim Chapin said the board applauded Lambiase for finishing his degree while helping steer the town through a pandemic.
“We all know it is quite an achievement to earn a college degree, and to do it while raising a family, and managing a Town is impressive,” Chapin said. “He has earned his new title.”
Lambiase spent 15 years working for the Town of Duxbury, starting as a building inspector and advancing up to become the town’s Director of Municipal Services. He was also a Selectman in Whitman and member of that town’s Finance Committee.
Lambiase has also adjusted the town’s leadership team. Last month he gave Town Accountant Sue Moquin a new title: Finance Director/Assistant Town Manager. Lambiase said the change reflected the increased portfolio of responsibilities that Moquin had assumed over the past couple years, including serving as the town’s chief procurement officer, overseeing maintenance of town hall, and driving the annual capital and operating budget process.
“It really was recognition of all the additional responsibilities she was already doing,” he said.
The assistant town manager’s position was eliminated more than two years ago by Lambiase’s predecessor, Rick LaFond. Lambiase said the move did not restore the assistant town manager position within his office, nor did it come with any additional money.
“It’s just a title,” he said.
Chapin blessed the move and complemented Moquin’s performance.
“Sue has been instrumental in the smooth transition between Town Managers,” he said. “We put town hall in a very tough spot when we made the decision to separate with [previous Town Manager] Rick LaFond. As it worked out, the timing couldn’t have been worse with a global pandemic and an unsure budget cycle. We got through it because of the leadership and experience of all our Town employees, especially Sue.
“I believe the Town Manager has a right to set up his office as he sees fit without being micromanaged by the Board of Selectmen. That said, I do realize that the previous Town Manager eliminated the position as a cost cutting measure. I think Scott’s move to reward Sue with a well earned title without adding a new position is the type of innovative thinking small towns need to continue to provide the services our residents require.”
The author of this article was a member of the Town Manager Search Committee that recommended Lambiase as one of its four finalists.