Bill > H4030

This bill establishes a comprehensive new governance structure for the town of Rochester, primarily focusing on defining the roles and responsibilities of the select board and town administrator. The bill vests executive powers in the select board, which will serve as the chief policy-making body, while delegating day-to-day management responsibilities to a professionally qualified town administrator. The select board will have powers such as appointing committees, issuing town meeting warrants, reviewing budgets, and hiring/firing the town administrator, who must be a full-time professional with executive and administrative qualifications. The town administrator will have extensive duties including managing town departments, administering personnel policies, negotiating contracts, preparing budgets, serving as the town's procurement officer, and acting as a liaison with state and federal authorities. The town administrator cannot hold other public offices and will be evaluated annually by the select board based on predetermined performance goals. The bill ensures that existing laws and ongoing legal proceedings will not be disrupted by these changes, and it will take effect only after acceptance by a vote at a Rochester town meeting, providing a clear, structured approach to modernizing the town's governance and administrative processes.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4030