Monticello board to seek new village manager

By TOM RUE

MONTICELLO - When manager George Panchyshyn retires to Sevierville, Tenn. this August, he hopes the village government won't be lost without him. He finishes up August 8, Panchyshyn said at a January 27 village board work session. Trustees, the mayor, and village attorney mulled whether residents need a manager -- or even if they need a village at all.

By the end of the meeting,most seemed agreed on many of the traits they want in the person who will oversee 85 employees and a $7 million dollar budget.

Trustees said they would prefer to hire locally if possible. Some spoke against promoting from within. "It almost borders on an incestuous relationship. It's not easy to be the boss with your friends," said trustee David Rosenberg.

Panchyshyn was appointed interim manager last summer, after the resignation of David P. Berner of Medford, Long Island. The law would not let Panchyshyn be manager because he lives outside the village, so the board gave him a pay hike and an "interim" title instead, knowing his plan to retire this year. Panchyshyn earns $57,100.

Previously, he was director of public works for the village, and chaired the Conservative Party of Sullivan County. Panchyshyn has worked for Monticello for 31 years, he said.

The village has a manager form of government. Going without one -- as proposed recently by mayor James Kenny -- would necessitate a referendum. Rosenberg urged studying the idea of consolidating the village into the Town of Thompson -- which would also require a public vote. Trustee Gary Sommers spoke against this, claiming it could cost village taxpayers more than leaving the two municipalities as they are. "I'd rather see the village take over the town. We have the machine to do it," urged Sommers.

Trustee Michael Levinson presented a draft advertisement and a list of skill/knowledge areas, including recodifying village laws, developing the village's economy, code enforcement, consolidating public services, grant-writing, maintaining good relations with the community and village department heads, perfecting the village/town master plan, and several more.

"He'd better be a god-damn superman," replied Panchyshyn, though no one present disputed any of the items on Levinson's list.

"If he [an applicant] has that experience, why would he want to come here?" asked mayor James Kenny. "The pay?"

Rosenberg answered by comparing the post to that of Sullivan County manager Jonathan Drapkin. "In New York City he was just one little guy. Now he's somebody.

Village attorney Michael Davidoff of Rock Hill said that in a perfect world, the village would hire a full-time manager, a full-time economic development commissioner, a full-time attorney, and staffs for each. "But it's not a perfect world. This village can't afford these people because we're a small village trying to do what's right. We just don't have the money in the coffers."

Davidoff suggested asking the NYS Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials what studies have been done on the need for municipal managers, and on the subject of dissolution.

"I've been through 13 managers," said Panchyshyn. "But I can count on one hand those who truly cared for Monticello." He raised his voice when officials discussed functioning without a manager. "You'll need to do a hell of a lot more work," he said, noting that between board meetings he sees some trustees at Village Hall once every month or two, naming trustees individually.

"If I seem excited it's only because I'm leaving here. What are you guys going to do to my village after I'm gone?" Panchyshyn asked.

A tentative goal was set to hire by June 1. Officials discussed advertising in local, national and trade journals, and on the Internet.

The board will officially commence the executive search at its February 3 meeting.

---

Above text is copyright by the author.
Duplication without permission is prohibited.