Bill > S1962

This bill establishes a town administrator position in Plainville, Massachusetts, who will be the chief administrative officer responsible for the town's day-to-day operations under the direction of the board of selectmen. The town administrator must have relevant education, training, and at least three years of experience in public administration, such as serving as a city or town administrator or in a similar role. This is a full-time position, and the administrator cannot hold other elected or appointed offices or engage in other businesses without the selectmen's written approval. The board of selectmen will annually evaluate the town administrator's performance, and a summary of this evaluation will be made public. When a vacancy occurs, a screening committee will be formed to recommend qualified candidates to the board, which will then appoint the new town administrator for a term of up to three years. In the interim, an interim town administrator will be appointed, with provisions for extensions if a permanent hire is delayed. The town administrator will also be responsible for appointing most town employees, excluding those in the school department, and will oversee their classification, promotion, discipline, and discharge, subject to existing contracts and bylaws. The administrator will also negotiate labor contracts for town employees, except for school staff, and will manage personnel policies, compensation, and other employment matters. The bill outlines a broad range of duties for the town administrator, including supervising departments, administering laws and regulations, keeping the board informed of town needs and financial conditions, maintaining records, and developing performance review procedures for department heads. The bill also addresses how existing town administrators will be treated upon its passage and specifies that it will take effect immediately.