New Tisbury town administrator highlights cybersecurity, central town hall as priorities

Joe LaCivita, Tisbury’s newly appointed Town Administrator, introduced himself to the Personnel Board on March 28 and said he is "ready to get things done," citing a priority on stronger communication, collaboration and cybersecurity among municipal departments.

LaCivita told the board that he grew up in Watervliet and has served as a deputy commissioner for state economic development, has created job descriptions for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development work, and worked as a code enforcement officer in New York. He also noted past oversight of a Commission of Public Safety that included public works, police and fire functions and said he volunteers with a fire department.

Pam Bennett, the town’s Human Resources Director, invited LaCivita to the board meeting. Chair J. Schilling framed the conversation by summarizing recent work by the Personnel Board, including formation of a full-time human resources department, updates to personnel bylaws and ongoing work to set compensation and classification for management, professional and seasonal positions. Schilling said the board uses the Brockton Newton formula to calculate cost-of-living adjustments to keep those decisions nonpolitical.

LaCivita told the board the town’s facilities are "fragmented" across Town Hall, the Annex and the Department of Public Works and said he is "very concerned about cyber security." He said the Select Board remains the adjudicative body and that the Town Administrator and Personnel Director manage day-to-day operations.

No formal action was taken on staffing or facilities at the meeting; LaCivita said he looks forward to working with the board on implementation and operational priorities.

The Personnel Board meeting record was submitted by Pam Bennett, Human Resources Director.