Management program to pair Saugus, UMass

SAUGUS – Town Manager Scott Crabtree said Saugus will team up with the University of Massachusetts Boston for a performance management program for its police and public works departments.Crabtree said the Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management selected Saugus to participate in the program, which helps municipalities implement a “data-driven performance management system.”?This program will create more accountability and efficiencies for the town,” said Crabtree in a press release.On Thursday Crabtree said he found out Saugus was accepted earlier this month and thought it would be a good opportunity to “ultimately provide better services to the residents.”?The commitment from us is to be willing to meet weekly for technical assistance and training and guidance in using the software …” said Crabtree. “They look at collecting data and use technology to evaluate performance and improve efficiencies.”Crabtree said training for the program begins with a conference next month at the Collins Center.Monica Lamboy, a senior associate from the Collins Center, said 25 cities and towns are currently in the program, which is paid for by grants from the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. Lamboy said the program is aimed at helping communities establish a performance management system called CitiStat.?The concept is to really use the information that is actually available to them to help in decision-making and policy-making,” said Lamboy. “What we?ve been tasked with through the grant is helping cities and towns launch their programs and really get them going. A lot of them are starting from scratch. Although data is there, it?s something they don?t routinely use.”Lamboy said an analyst is assigned to work one day a week with each community in the program for five months.A fact sheet from the Collins Center states the program, which is in its third round, begins in late August and analysts begin working in the municipalities in September. Communities have to sign an agreement and pay a $500 participation fee. At the end of five months, municipalities will have options for paying to continue the work at a variety of levels and prices. According to the fact sheet, 19 out of the 20 participants in the first round chose to continue as paying members.Crabtree added that he separately hired the Collins Center this past spring to assess the organization and operations of the DPW, a study that is expected to be completed by the end of the month, and said the town is waiting to hear back on a proposal seeking help in preparing a “much needed town-wide capital improvement plan.”?A capital improvement plan is essential for financial stability and long-term planning to reduce unexpected capital costs …” he said.