GROVELAND – The Town of Groveland announces that it will adopt a town administrator form of government, bringing a new level of professionalism to local municipal operations.
On Monday, May 24, Town Meeting approved Article 5 by a vote of 79-21, a vote that authorizes the Board of Selectmen to appoint a town administrator. The administrator will be responsible for day-to-day town operations and financial matters, under the direction of the Board majority. Currently, operational duties are performed by the five selectmen; financial issues are managed by the Finance Director.
In a separate voice vote, Town Meeting also approved the dissolution of the current Finance Director system, allowing Selectmen to reorganize municipal operations around a financial team led by the Town Administrator.
The Finance Board and Government Study Committee supported the articles. The Board of Selectmen recommended “favorable action” in a 4-1 vote.
“Operating a town is growing in complexity. We’re a volunteer Board of Selectmen, and many issues can’t wait for us to meet every other week,” Board Vice Chair Kathleen Kastrinelis said. “We want to have a professional operation so that our fantastic employees will have support, and our residents will receive a high level of service.”
The Board of Selectmen next will review and post a job description for the administrator. The Board also will appoint a Town Administrator Search Committee, which will be charged with reviewing applications and recommending candidates to be interviewed by Selectmen. No Selectman may serve on the Search Committee.
The incoming Town Administrator will serve for a period of one year, and then may be appointed to recurring three-year terms.