Building a Stronger Future Through Organizational Insight
When the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea began planning for a leadership transition, they recognized the opportunity to take a proactive look at how their local government could operate more effectively. With growing service demands and complex capital needs on the horizon, Town officials partnered with Capital Strategic Solutions (CSS) to conduct a full operational audit—designed to evaluate the Town’s structure, internal systems, and overall readiness for the future.
“This wasn’t just an audit—it was a blueprint for the future,” said Bill Keegan, ICMA-CM, LM, Senior Project Manager at CSS. “Our goal was to provide real, actionable solutions tailored to the Town’s unique structure, challenges, and opportunities.”
Led by Bill Keegan, a seasoned municipal executive, the CSS team conducted interviews with department heads and key stakeholders, reviewed internal workflows, and worked closely with Town leadership to identify opportunities for improvement. The result was a comprehensive set of recommendations that focused on enhancing internal communication, refining organizational structure, supporting succession planning, and modernizing operational tools.
“The Town was incredibly thoughtful in commissioning this audit. It reflects a strong commitment to accountability and proactive leadership,” said Nichol Figueiredo, CEO at CSS. “Their willingness to reflect, reassess, and improve is what made this project a success—and that mindset will serve them well into the future.”
Moving Forward with Confidence
Since the audit, Manchester-by-the-Sea has begun implementing several key recommendations with a focus on operational sustainability and long-term strategic planning. These efforts include reorganizing departmental structures, expanding internal support functions, and investing in communication and infrastructure planning initiatives that will serve the community well into the future.
“Capital Strategic Solutions provided clear, actionable recommendations,” said Greg Federspiel, Town Administrator. “The operational audit gave us a clear roadmap to streamline our organization and invest in the systems that will serve our residents more effectively.”
Why It Matters
Manchester-by-the-Sea’s approach serves as a model for other municipalities navigating change. Whether preparing for leadership transitions or facing growing operational demands, an organizational audit can provide the clarity and structure needed to support long-term goals, improve internal collaboration, and enhance community service delivery.
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Bill Keegan brings over forty years of municipal government expertise to Capital Strategic Solutions. As former Town Manager of Foxborough and Dedham, he secured a Triple A Bond Rating for both, demonstrating his exceptional financial stewardship. Bill’s leadership roles include President of the Massachusetts Municipal Manager’s Association and pivotal positions with the Massachusetts Inter-local Insurance Agency and Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Emergency Communications Center. A master’s graduate in Regional Planning from UMass Amherst, Bill is also recognized by the International City/County Management Association for his distinguished service. His vast experience enriches our team’s capacity to support and advance our client’s goals.