The Town of Huntsville is still tweaking its organizational chart as it pertains to the number of directors it employs and the departments and staff they are responsible for.
Steve Hernen who used to be Director of Protective Services is now the acting Director of Operations and Protective Services, a newly created position that brings together the oversight of roads, fleet and public transportation infrastructure with parks and cemeteries as well as protective services under one umbrella. The position of Director of Transportation is no longer on the Town’s organizational chart.
“He [Hernen] is in the process of working with Lisa Smith, she’s our HR, to fine tune the details of the roll-out in those positions and we do expect to have something updated on our org chart very soon,” said Huntsville CAO Denise Corry.
Derrick Hammond, the Director of Development Services for Huntsville, is still technically employed by the District of Muskoka. The position was recently discussed by council in closed session, but nothing was made public.
“When we retained Derrick last June, he started June 20th, it was an agreement between the Town of Huntsville and the District of Muskoka to have a secondment agreement with him for one year. So after a six month period, as per our policies, we do a review so that’s why you would’ve seen the [closed session] report come forward,” explained Corry, adding that Hammond’s secondment agreement is set to expire this coming June. Whether the Town offers him a permanent position and he accepts is yet to be determined.
The Town is also currently hiring for a Director of Corporate Services. Corry said the Town has received 41 applications for the position. “I can honestly say with respect to the senior positions it’s probably the most interest we’ve seen.”
Asked why the interest, Corry said she could honestly not say. “Obviously the portfolio of the position, in my opinion, is certainly quite elaborate. It has five departments that are reporting to it, two of which are clerks and finance and then we have IT, corporate information and marketing. So, in my opinion, being a previous clerk, a very interesting portfolio that certainly attracted a number of applicants,” she said, also adding that maybe people just want to live and work in a community like Huntsville. “That could be it as well, but it’s hard to say.”
As of last week, the hiring team comprised of key municipal staff members had conducted first interviews and were making their way through the process, but a final decision has not yet been made, said Corry.
At their February 27 meeting, councillors discussed whether Huntsville Council members should be involved in the hiring of senior staff members at the municipality. Some like Deputy Mayor Karin Terziano and Councillor Nancy Alcock pointed out that councillors often work closely with senior staff and they should be part of the process. While others, like Councillor Brian Thompson thought it best to leave the hiring of senior staff to the CAO and her executive team. In the end, whether to ask a member of council to participate will be left up to the discretion of the CAO. “If I didn’t deem it was required to have them participate I wouldn’t ask, but if a member of council was interested they would approach me,” clarified Corry, who also indicated that council is in fact involved with the hiring of the municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer. You can find related stories at the links below.
Outcome of restructuring at Town Hall to be announced soon: CAO
Restructuring at Town Hall will not result in actual job loss: CAO
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Perhaps a chart of positions and the names of those who are presently employed in those positions would be helpful to the public . With the Town’s track record for retention , it is difficult to know the players without a program !