submitted by Ken Picard
The role of leaders in town government is to provide direction and motivation to accomplish the mission and vision of the organization through a strategic plan. Leaders move the organization in new directions, take risks if the opportunity justifies the effort, and leaders will create an environment where creativity and innovation thrive. A key trait of a leader is the ability to effect positive change.
The role of the manager in town government is to bring stability to the day to day operation of the organization. To that end the manager provides analysis, rationality, coordination, and risk avoidance to the organization. The manager focuses on achieving short term goals, maximizing results, and coordinating actions. The manager builds on the existing organizational strengths.
As leaders the Board of Selectmen modeled the way of selfless service by reducing their salaries from $14,774.00 to 1,750.00. The Board of Selectmen inspired a shared vision that the Town Hall should be and could be renovated. The Board of Selectman encourages the heart by recognizing the actions of others by becoming a Purple Heart Community. The Board of Selectmen enables others to act by fostering collaboration with other communities with municipal agreement. The Board of Selectmen challenges the process by proposing a change in the selection process of some town officials.
The Town Manger is responsible for keeping the Board fully informed as to the needs of the Town and recommends action by them or the town. The Town Manager is the administrator of personnel policies, practices, and compensation plans for all town employees. The Town Manger negotiates collective bargaining agreements. The Town Manager prepares and submits an annual operating budget, ensures that complete and full records of the financial and administrative activities are maintained and transparent for the public.
Since the enactment of the Selectmen – Town Manger form of government five years ago the Town has benefited from:
- 4 inter-municipal agreements providing a value to the Town of approximately $650,920.00
- 43 grant opportunities providing a value of approximately $2,360,791.00
- Approval for an $8,000,000.00 Transportation Improvement Project.
- Reconditioned a municipal water well field.
- Installed a new municipal water well field.
- Renovated Town Hall with CPA funding.
For more information about the Selectman and the Town Manger go to the Town web site or visit link: http://www.uptonma.gov/Pages/UptonMA_BComm/bos/inde
UPTON DAILY 