|
Jeffrey
Bennett
Templeton
To the Editor:
I believe Templeton has a government study committee and I believe Ms. Wilder
was/is on it. When was the last time this committee met and has a town
charter ever been discussed?
I am unaware of this being brought forward to the selectmen. I believe the
process for a charter is about two years. Article 49: To see if the town will
vote to AMEND vote taken by the town on June 23, 1998 (which resulted in the
town adopting MGL chapter 41, section 23C) this article would amend that vote
to accept MGL chapter 41, section 23A sec. 4.
As section 23A gives better clarification (less gray area) on the position
and the authority that the selectmen can vote to give the position, it would
seem the prudent thing to do is vote this amendment and then look at a town
charter which may be good for the town.
I see no reason to not more clearly define the position of coordinator/town
administrator now and look down the road to a charter. By clarifying the
position and role, the job description would most likely change and require,
in the future, a high degree of qualifications for the position. This to me
would be an example of building on what we have and moving forward, something
Ms. Wilder seems to be in favor of.
The choice will be up to the voters, stagnate or move forward and build on an
already improving town.
Jeffrey Bennett
Templeton
|
It would seem, if the person in this position is qualified for the job of Town Administrator, he or she, should be given the authority to make decisions, in the every day running of the office. The only problems I could see, would be if selectmen who are used to having the authority, were threatened, by giving this person the power they need to do the job. The job description needs to be very clear, on who does what, to avoid conflict, from the very start. I know that there were problems in Winchedon, when they went to a Town Administrator, but I feel this can be avoided. I am in favor of making these changes now, as Jeff has just stated. Templeton can get bogged down with committees, to the point nothing gets done. I think looking at a charter, for the town would be a good idea. It would be good for the town to have some consistency when selectmen change, as when their terms are up. The town is off to a new start. We may as well do things that will past, the test of time. My opinion, what do you voters think? Bev.
ReplyDelete