What is a Town Manager?

What are town manager expectations? What do we want from a town manager? Let's start writing down what we think a town manager should be responsible for:

HONEST!!

Open eyes and see whats going on around him or her, act for the people not just a board of 5 or 6. Ask what the people want

I always say dont bite off until you chew alittle

never mind

Vigs wrote:Open eyes and see whats going on around him or her, act for the people not just a board of 5 or 6. Ask what the people want

Vigs, are you saying that the town manager should ignore the selectmen? That is what I understand your comment to be saying. if he doesn't answer to the elected board, to whom does he answer? Please remember that a town manager is the agent of the board to tend to daily business that they cannot. In smaller towns they get by, but it can be questionable whether some other town official is making daily decisions. In some cases the "first selectman" has more power. Exactly where do you see the lines of authority in our town?

Kevin, the thread is about what YOU think is a town manager...not what someone else thinks.

That's fine, I am challenging Vigs' statement that the town manager should ignore his supervisors and do what "the people" want. Surely, you didn't think people would make statements without being challenged, especially on this forum.

Kevin, get your own thread if you want to do that. I am asking what people look for in a town manager.

... and I am challenging ideas that conflict with the way our town was established. If you don't like my posts, don't read them. I never thought that challenging an idea would EVER be considered out of line on THIS forum.

This is the crap I get...

[No title]
From KevinNSaisi To Timeout, Today at 5:52 pm

Timeout,
As I was heading to work this morning I noticed that you have a red light in your window. I just thought you might want to consider the interpretation some may derive from such a sight. I am not implying anything, but some could.

_________________
Have a GREAT day,
Kevin


Topic review
Timeout Tue Dec 30, 2008 5:53 pm

Kevin, I have Christmas lights in my window...what the hell is the matter with you. I am asking you to leave me alone now.
Timeout

In the middle of all the sound and fury surrounding the Rumford town manager job, I think the essential responsibility of the town manager has been obscured. That is to insure the correct financial operation of the town, making sure money come in is adequate for the money that has to go out, and that it all is being accounted for correctly, and that planning for future income and outgo is in place. That's job one.

In Rumford, however, various constituents tend to demand that the town manager engage in endless babysitting and hand-holding. Give Len credit for excellent financial management, if nothing else, despite the distractions.

Timeout,
It is a violation of decourum to take a personal conversation public without consent of the other party. I was trying to be funny, and you turned it into something negative. In the past I have been able to joke with you through PM without a problem.

sorry to interrupt, but whatever happens , do NOT let JNS get anywhere NEAR becomeing town manager.

now, back to our regularly scheduled program.

A town manager is one who manages the fiscal and administrative aspects of a town on a daily basis under the direction of the board of selectmen. That being said, a town manager has a responsibility to advise the board when they make decisions that may be detrimental to the town. However, if they persist in directing him/her to do things that are legally or ethically improper, a town manager has little recourse except to move on to another position, as any other action would constitute insubordination.

Rumford has a descriptive job analysis for the town manager position believe it or not. Day to day overseeing of the municipal building goings on, acting as a go between for department heads and issues, economic development, marketing strategies, and also charter and ordinance requirements around meetings, and now acting as a secretary at the selectmen meetings. Ensuring auditing of department books at years end, preparing the budget in conjunction with the finance officer are some of the duties many town managers are active in on a daily basis. That has not been the case in our town over the last couple of years though.

a town manager also has to have an interaction with the people and, especially in a town like rumford, be able to navigate the choppy waters of personalities. Kevin sees it simply being played by the rules, and in that, he is somewhat correct. But it also demands a sense of respect and fair play. JSN doesn't have that. A personal self-aggrandizing agenda isn't going to cut it.

xmashen wrote:a town manager also has to have an interaction with the people and, especially in a town like rumford, be able to navigate the choppy waters of personalities.

Agreed.

xmashen wrote:Kevin sees it simply being played by the rules, and in that, he is somewhat correct. But it also demands a sense of respect and fair play. JSN doesn't have that. A personal self-aggrandizing agenda isn't going to cut it.

I was speaking of WHAT a town manager is, not the characteristics that make a good town manager. If you look, that is the topic of the thread. There are many traits that make a good town manager including public interaction, honesty, managerial experience, being a referee, and peacemaking.

Actually it is mentioned in the intial post and shes asking for both Kevin. Another thing the nit picking is getting old. Sorry if being honest is a bad trait.

Well, xmashen was making reference to traits to which I didn't even refer. The initial post asks for expectations, "what we want from a town manager" (not IN a town manager), and responsibilities. To me, none of that asks for character traits, just duties, results and responsibilities.

As I said to Timeout; if you don't like my posts, don't read them.

Hmmmm so the same could be said for the post you thought I did was offensive too.....Right? Just don't read it.

True, but like you I have the choice as to whether or not I read your posts. If I read somsthing I don't like I will likely counter it with my opinion, not complain because you are stating your opinion.

So sending a PM complaining about it is ok as long as its not on the forum? Geez man do you come with a rule book on how we are suppose to converse with you. I feel I need one.

911Dispatcher wrote:So sending a PM complaining about it is ok as long as its not on the forum? Geez man do you come with a rule book on how we are suppose to converse with you. I feel I need one.

I don't see that you really want to converse with me. However, a private note (PM) is much better than a public flogging. I wouldn't expect many on this forum to understand how to converse politely. Most have taken their hatred for Jennifer and used it to turn this forum into a sea of negativity. I just laugh because everytime you express hatred for Jennifer, she wins. You are allowing your emotions to be controlled by what she posts on her web site. It is sad really, but rather amusing to watch.

Thanks Kevin for allowing me to use your line (when you are trying to spin what you really meant)....

I was only joking!

I also love how people use politeness as a crutch for dishonesty. Lifes to short for head games and bull----!