Gregorio steps away from Chair
Published on July 9th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - In the end, it wasn't the tight budget figures, the threat of town layoffs or rumors of an override that forced longtime Finance and Advisory Board Chairman Richard Gregorio to step down from his six year position in the fiscal spotlight.
Instead it was an hour-long commute from a new job in Exeter, New Hampshire that made it increasingly difficult to make early evening meetings and budget sessions.
The arduous commute, however, eventually culminated in Gregorio announcing several weeks ago that he was stepping down as Chairman, but would still remain on the board to help steer the town through future troubled financial waters.
Gregorio temporarily stepped down as Chairman after the Town's FY2002 Budget, but eventually stepped back into the breach for FY2003.
"I joined a new job and they just bought a new product line, doubled their employees, doubled their business, and, oh by the way, installed a new computer system," said a laughing Gregorio of the chain of events that led to his leave of absence last summer as Chairman. "And then they hired me and said 'Um, we have a problem and can you fix it'.
The work eventually calmed to somewhat of a dull roar, and Gregorio, at the behest of town officials, resumed his chairmanship in time for FY2003.
"I came back as Chair to try to help the Town through the past year's budget process, but, with the job and the hour commute, it was difficult to put the time in as Chairman that I had in the past," said Gregorio.
"It's unfortunate because I really enjoyed being the Chair," added Gregorio. "But hopefully I can stay on the board as non-chair and just cut my hours a bit-and continue to get employed."
According to many town officials, Gregorio will be missed in his leadership role but will still be counted on to play a vital role.
"Richard joined the Finance Board in 1996," said Selectman Anthony Kennedy, who recruited Gregorio for the board while serving as Chairman. "When I became a Selectman, Richard stepped up to the plate and became the Finance Board Chairman."
"I really think he's done an outstanding job, and even though he's not leaving the Finance Board...I think his leadership is going to be missed," added Kennedy of the active and visible departing chairman. "Probably his greatest attribute was forcing us to be realistic in revenue assumptions, and also forecasting of future expenses."
Kennedy lauded Gregorio's consistent ability to analyze what Stoneham's situation would be two or three budget years down the line.
"I felt a little awkward putting it on the agenda for the Board of Selectmen because he's not leaving the board," said Kennedy of a certificate of appreciation presented at the Board of Selectmen meeting last week. "On the other hand, the Chairman position is really key...I just hope he sticks with it and makes some more contributions."
Gregorio, a seven year member and Chairman of the Finance Board since 1997, hopes to be able to lend guidance to what he calls "an even more difficult budget process next year."
"The thing with the chair is that it's not just going to the regular meetings, but meeting with David (Berry) and the department heads during the daytime, and the earlier meetings that I just can't get to."
With John Warren sliding over to Chairman duties and Jim Grayson stepping in as Finance Board Vice-Chair, Gregorio was confident that "they're going to do a great job."
"I promised them that I'll still be my same ornery self," joked Gregorio. "I can still do a lot of the same stuff that I currently do with the board; I just don't necessarily feel obligated to have to attend an 8 o'clock meeting in Dave's office."
As far as advice for the incoming Chairman, Gregorio said that Warren's job as Finance Board Vice-Chairman has prepared him for the leadership role.
"He has his hands firmly on the wheel," said Gregorio. "The biggest thing I've tried to do is help the board and department heads work together."
According to Gregorio, there was "very little communication between the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen" during his first year on the board.
"That's why we created the idea of the summit meetings," said Gregorio of the early Tuesday evening meetings between Selectmen, School Committee, and the Finance Board. "We could never get the Selectmen to go to School Committee meetings and vice-versa, so we pulled two of them aside from each group and said 'let's sit down and talk."
During the budget process, the summit meetings opened an effective line of communication between the sometimes-pugilistic school and municipal sides of town government.
"That's one thing that I think John (Warren) will continue to stress," said Gregorio of the united Stoneham front during hard financial times.
"He really picked up on the summit meetings and was always out there orchestrating the meetings," said Kennedy. "He was the driving force behind the agendas and keeping us in line."
The Crystal Drive resident, ironically enough, joined the Finance and Advisory Board as a way to de-stress after long days at work. Gregorio managed to find a place of relaxation while attempting to bridge the town's financial issues.
"My previous job was a high stress job where we were constantly trying to grow a business, and there was always cash issues," said Gregorio. "I'd go home at night, and I'd dwell on the stress."
"With the Finance Board, I got away from the job," added Gregorio. "I love challenges...I love debate...and I love analysis, so it got my mind off the job and gave me something else to think about."
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