Selectmen Defend Town Manager; Say Critics Are Confused [with video]

At their Monday night meeting, Town Manager Mark Haddad, denying rumors he acts as a 'sixth Selectman', 'running amok', and usurping authority, said, "This is not true. We have a really good working relationship . . . It is important that the public understands I perform the duties as outlined in the Charter", adding that many residents do not understand the Charter-defined roles of Selectmen and Town Manager.

Selectmen Chairman Josh Degen added that when the Charter was adopted, there were some misconceptions on the part of some who voted for it. "We did cede authority to the Town Manager," he said, adding that the town has a $30M budget and 100 plus employees. He stressed, "We have been well-served by this form of government."

Selectman Peter Cunningham - a member of the original Charter committee - said Haddad has responsibility for the "daily professional management" on a day-to-day basis while it is the Board of Selectmen's responsibility to set policy.

Selectman Stuart Schulman said the town had done "pretty well" over the last few years, agreeing that the charter's separation of powers was effective. Member Anna Eliot said that there was 'a lot of misconception' on the part of the public of the town manager's role.

Charter Review Cmte. Could Change Powers of Town Manager

A Charter Review Committee, as mandated in the Charter itself, will be convened following Spring Town Meeting where all sections of the Charter will be up for review and reconsideration, depending on the assessment of the committee. This would also include a review of existing roles and responsibilities and the possibility of redefining the responsibilities of the Town Manager and/or the Board of Selectmen.

Discussion of Interacting Roles Important

The discussion of the interacting roles of Selectman and Town Manager was prompted by Selectmen's decision to review the sections of the Town Charter defining responsibilities of the Board and Town Manager, discussing how they communicate and work together. Haddad said he felt that publicly reviewing the roles of Selectmen and Town Manager was important since there "never had been a discussion of our roles."

He said despite criticism that 'he is taking over', he is doing, "what I am supposed to do by the Charter and I want the public to know that."

The power and duties of the town manager are very broad and subject to interpretation. They are to manage, supervise and be responsible for the efficient administration of all town functions under his control as authorized by the Charter, including appointments and removal of department heads, officers and subordinates and employees; to negotiate with all collective bargaining units; set wage and classification schedule; prepare a balanced budget; attend all Board of Selectmen meetings; attend all town meetings; conduct performance evaluations, manage the Fire Department, Police Department, and all other departments, with the exception of the Library.

Selectman Jack Petropoulos asked how the appointments worked under the Strong Fire Chief model and Haddad responded that the fire chief does all the appointments in his department and neither he nor Selectmen ratify those appointments.

The powers and duties of Selectmen include development of policy; award and execute contracts for services and supplies; serve as the licensing board for the town; appointment of town manager, Finance Committee, town counsel, Zoning Board of Appeals; Board of Registrars; police chief; fire chief; conduct investigations; and appoint other committees as required by the General Laws.

In addition, the Charter states, "The Board of Selectmen shall provide for an annual review of the of the job performance of the town manager, which shall, at least in summary form, be a public record in accordance with the personnel by-laws or accepted evaluation process."

Haddad stressed that there are lots of checks and balances with regard to the Board of Selectmen and the town manager. "I just don't make willy-nilly decisions. There are lots of checks and balances," he said.

For anyone interested in reviewing the 24-page Town Charter, it is available on-line at the Town of Groton website - www.townofgroton.org