Selectmen Vice Chairwoman Shana Shufelt noted that King’s performance was reviewed recently in executive session
WESTPORT – The Town Administrator report card was issued by selectmen, and Timothy King overall has received a “satisfactory rating,” according to the select board.
Selectmen Vice Chairwoman Shana Shufelt noted that King’s performance was reviewed recently in executive session and she released the results on Monday. Shufelt said the categories included superior, exceeds expectations, satisfactory, needs improvement and unsatisfactory.
The performance review comes around the midway point of his current three-year contract. King was appointed in 2014 and his tenure was extended last year, after his initial three-year contract expired.
King received “exceeds expectations” for his job knowledge and “needs improvement” for animal control issues and barn books oversight, as well as a “needs improvement” for communication.
Three out of five selectmen also ranked him as “needs improvement” for leadership and interpersonal skills.
All other categories King ranked satisfactory, per the board’s review. Along with Shufelt, Selectmen Chairman Steven Ouellette, as well as Selectmen Brian Valcourt, R. Michael Sullivan and Craig Dutra reviewed King’s performance.
Shufelt said that board members noted that barn books last year were not conducted in a timely manner, and this was a major concern after the landmark animal cruelty case of 2016.
Shufelt said that the board also appeared to agree that King’s communication skills and summary of information for the board could be improved upon.
Shufelt said King’s attention to town buildings was ranked satisfactory, but he still needs to channel more attention toward that aspect of the job.
King also received a “satisfactory” rating for delivery of services. He was also charged with working to create a department of public works. King received a satisfactory rating in that category, even though a department of public works was not created.
Shufelt explained that the board later decided not to pursue the creation of a DPW and changed King's directive on the matter.
Members of the highway department and other town entities resisted that change.
King also ranked satisfactory with payroll issues and for his efforts in evaluating town employees.