Belmont Resident Takes The Reins in Brookline

This article was first published in Brookline Patch, Aug. 10.

Brookline selectmen have offered Belmont resident Melvin Kleckner the town administrator position 

Kleckner, a longtime municipal leader, was dismissed from a similar job in Winchester less than two months before being selected to run the day-to-day operation of the town of 57,000 residents.

Kleckner, who was his hometown's town administrator from 1991 to 2004, was among four finalists called to interview before a public meeting of the Board of Selectmen last month and received the conditional offer of employment by a unanimous vote of the board at a meeting tonight.

"Let me be succinct: Winchester's loss is Brookline's gain," Selectman Dick Benka said in indicating his support for the hiring of Kleckner, who lives on Tobey Road.

Kleckner has spent nearly 30 years in top municipal positions in several Massachussets communities, serving as the town administrator or manager in Wilbraham, Belmont and Winchester, and the assistant town manager in Arlington.

He holds degrees from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, St. Anselm College in New Hampshire and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

"I found ultimately that Mel Kleckner, to my mind, had some experience and a history that I thought would be particularly good to Brookline," said Selectwoman Nancy Daly.

Kleckner left his job in Winchester with little public explanation earlier this year. According to articles in the Winchester Star, selectmen in the town opted not to renew his contract when it expired at the end of June, saying only that they were unable to reach "terms for an extension" of his contract.

In a statement issued at the time, Kleckner reportedly cited "differences of opinion related to my management philosophy and style, performance, as well as conflicts over the boundaries and policies of the administration that often occur in local government between town managers and boards of selectmen."

Kleckner acknowledged his departure from Winchester at his public interview before Brookline selectmen last month, but offered few additional details.

"As sometimes happens in this profession, the priorities of the Board of Selectmen and the composition of the Board had changes, and they were looking for change," he explained. "And as often happens, change happens at the top."

Kleckner has declined several requests for comment during the hiring process.

As Brookline's chief executive, the town administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the town and the performance of its personnel. The position was held by Richard Kelliher for 15 years until his retirement on July 2, and has been filled temporarily by Sean Cronin, the former deputy town administrator.

Selectwoman Betsy Dewitt said town officials would work to negotiate the terms of Kleckner's contract by the end of August. Selectmen are expected to make an official appointment at their meeting on Sept. 14.