If and but with a what or two

What is a Town Manager/Town Administrator?  Seems that depends on who you ask.  People will argue that first there is a difference between the two.

From my perspective, there is absolutely no difference when the position you seek to create is to be enacted by special legislation drafted by the Town detailing the duties, powers and responsibilities.  A duck is a duck folks, whether you want to call it a dog or not, it doesn't change the fact that it is a duck.

The preferred "title" nonetheless seems to involve "Administrator", so be it.

As to the concept, the biggest problem, sticking point is what should be entailed in the concept.

We are certainly hearing a bunch about what shouldn't be in the concept.  Of course, at least from my way of thinking, if you omit all the functions, duties and yes powers that should be part of the position, well then you are definitely going to end up with a duck instead of a Town Administrator.  

What is this position suppose to be about?

In our little town, both its citizenry and its employees and various departments and boards and committees have become extremely spoiled.  How so?  

By having an Executive Secretary who is willing and able to go well beyond the duties and functions of his job description.  Now a fair amount of people have in the past expressed the view that that is part of the problem.  A great many of those people however seem to have no qualms about knocking on his door for his assistance in getting things done or cleaning up their messes.

There are numerous reasons why the present Executive Secretary is as accomplished as he is.  Most of those reasons will be exactly why his replacement is going to have a hard row to hoe, be it as the new Executive Secretary or the first Town Administrator, be it with nothing more than the existing structure or a new one.

Citing the oft maligned DOR report on the matter:

The executive secretary is a full-time professional position that carries out the daily administrative functions of the town. The role has limited supervision or authority over municipal operations and only directs departments and staff under the jurisdiction of the board of selectmen, to which he reports. However, by virtue of the incumbent’s twenty-four plus years of service he has been able to forge a strong working relationship and level of respect which enables him to coordinate administrative activities that are not otherwise implicit within the authority granted the position. (Emphasis supplied). See page 5 of the report.

As a practical matter, the selectmen are relieved of a direct management role, in large part, due to the presence of the executive secretary. Though his position lacks inherent authority, he has effectively assisted the selectmen, worked with departments and guided operations due to a level of credibility built over time. It is reasonable to conclude that the town will find it difficult to replicate this success when he leaves office. Professional administrators will not be drawn to an executive secretary title or to the lack of authority assigned to the position. (Emphasis supplied).  See page 6 of the report.

Add to the end of the last paragraph above, It would also be unreasonable to assume that a professional administrator will take on the responsibility of dealing with OPM (other people's messes in this case) without the authority to implement solutions.  

Add to the end of the paragraph above, "A new executive secretary simply will not have the strong working relationship or respect, or the actual authority needed to function at a level even approaching the current status quo."

Okay, so with that little side trip being taken, and so as not to leave the question asked by me, unanswered by me, i.e. "What is the position suppose to be about", the best way to answer that is to provide you with a link as good a descriptions regarding the position I have found.  Take a moment or two to read this position paper.

It is worth your time mo matter where you stand on this matter presently.  It is in my mind a very concise (even at three or so pages) description of what the position should involve and what the relationship between the position and Selectmen should be.

Some people want to maintain the "two team" concept, one team run by the Selectmen the other by the Board of Public Works.  Is it doable?  To say no would not be honest.  

Is it the best concept? I will acknowledge that is certainly a matter of opinion, and you should by now know my opinion on the matter.  In my opinion it is not the best concept and whatever pluses you may see, I see many more minuses. We all must in the end do our own accounting work when adding up the ledger columns on this one, but my tally is completed and has been for a long time.

We have heard much lately about associated costs.  Well ask yourself just what that is.  The second team is dependent on the first for support staff.  Now there is some grumbling about the amount being charged for that support. The second team has also just discovered that it can and always could have in fact "challenged" the assessment of those costs for being to high.  I suppose you put that one in the better late than never column.

Of course the first team has no recourse to remedy low assessment for years past, but hey ... such is life.

And I am digressing a bit.

Yet the second team either must rely on the support staff of the first team or go it alone.  Now there is some validity to sharing certain aspects of associated costs.  Billing (mainly collection of the billed amounts), accounting and other financial services.  Doesn't make sense to duplicate such services. I also firmly support the fact that the charge should be accurate.

Additionally however, it appears from statements made by the front office of the second team that its management isn't quite up to the task of running the team alone and either is apparently the front office. So throw in some stuff that a well run team shouldn't need from another team, i.e. the time the first team manager spends managing the second team which is suppose to have a manager.

The present structure isn't suppose to run like a major league team set up with a minor league farm system. The present structure is set up for one league play with two big league teams. The shared resources are suppose to be to eliminate redundancy and be cost effective.

Anyway, seems the idea of eliminating an elected Board is considered a real possibility.

Just take a look at the article in today's edition of The Standard Times. In about two years from now all five members of the elected BPW may be looking for other ways to serve their community.  Seems early planning really isn't a lost concept.

It is what it is.

And what it is is enough for today.

Be safe.