Petition calls for change in leadership structure for Town of Meredith

MEREDITH — A petitioned warrant article calling for a change in government structure — from a town manager to town administrator — received the necessary 25 signatures, but an issue with the wording leaves voters unable to make a decision at Town Meeting.

Mike Faller, who recently retired after 28 years leading the public works department and led the petition, said the town manager role gives less power to the selectboard and department heads. While not wholly the reason he decided to leave his post, Faller said it did contribute to the timing.

“There were several of us that feel there should be a change in the local government, and go back to having the authority to the selectboard totally,” Faller said. “One thing I found when talking to people is that a lot don’t realize that the power isn’t with the selectboard.”

Faller said the town manager position is protected by RSA 37, which he said essentially gives the person in that role “free reign.”

He recalls one selectboard within the last decade discussing switching to a town administrator form of government, but it didn’t gain traction.

When gathering signatures — 31 total — Faller included a side-by-side comparison of the town manager versus town administrator roles. The manager role is established under state law, with independent powers from the selectboard, Faller wrote. The manager is in charge of hiring and firing employees, and also prepares the budget, with direct purchasing and expenditure authority.

The manager was described by Faller as being a “CEO-like” role. The person holding the position can also only be terminated through statutory procedures.

The town administrator, on the other hand, is a position created by the selectboard, with authority defined in the job description and board policy. The selectboard retains authority for hiring and firing, and the administrator can recommend or supervise only. The budget preparation is facilitated by the town administrator, and spending authority is delegated by the board.

The administrator’s work is directed by the board, and the person filling the position can be terminated whenever seen fit. As opposed to the manager position, which has set power through state law unless a charter is adopted, Faller said the selectboard defines the administrator’s duties.

Faller’s reasons for bringing the petition forward are to restore executive authority to the selectboard, create accountability, provide flexibility, and establish a governmental form more common for a town of Meredith’s size.

He pointed to surrounding town governments, listing 14 including Belmont and Gilford, with administrators. The closest town which employees a manager is Plymouth.

“Many towns throughout New Hampshire use the Town Administrator form of government,” the information with the petition states. “This allows for direct oversight and control from the board. Decisions made by the Town Manager have a direct effect on the town and selectboard and as in many instances the board can’t say anything as the Town Manager has statutory authority.”

The petition states the board has expressed desires based on resident input, but “many times” the town manager does otherwise. It adds the administrator government sets up a clear level of control, and gives the selectboard authority.

“One thing I found is that being an employee there made it difficult at times to get my thought or idea out,” Faller said. “And if I overstepped and went to the selectboard, well, that wasn’t a good thing.”

Faller said he was told by past managers they wanted all information to go through that office before hitting the selectboard’s table, and while he can respect that, there were some things he felt the town overpaid for, with the highway garage as an example.

“I had something else in mind, where it could have saved the town several millions of dollars, but it didn’t go through,” Faller said.

Faller said current Town Manager Judie Milner was the subject of a vote of no confidence by citizens of Franklin while she was employed as the city manager there. He sees some of the same issues which happened there occurring in Meredith.

He was also irritated it took so long for his former assistant to be named successor, and that in the parks & rec department, the long-time assistant was passed over for a director from Franklin.

“When people are giving their time, and spent their life dedicated to Meredith, I think it should have some weight,” Faller said.

He also criticized the proposal about the community development department rearrangement, saying a “tell-tale sign” was it took four proposals to land on the one selected.

Faller said this has been on his mind for “a long time,” and feels the department heads as a whole are professional, and understand how to lead.

The selectboard will decide on whether to change the wording. Selectboard member Jeanie Forrester said she expects the petition to be discussed at the next board meeting on Monday, and declined to offer her thoughts. She said the board will also need to discuss it with legal counsel.

Faller thought when he submitted the petitioned article it would be left up to voters, but was notified the article would only be advisory. He has since reached out to selectboard, voicing his concern, and was informed it is not dead in its tracks.

“I have heard selectmen say to let the voters make decisions, and to make it advisory. I feel like the board isn’t taking that step to make it happen,” Faller said. “The way I understand it is even if the voters say they want to go to town administrator, the board just takes it under advisement.”

Forrester is a former town administrator, and understands the difference between the roles. She said the problem with the town administrator is if there are selectboard members with an agenda, or who want to micromanage, it can be disruptive.

However, she said with a manager, they are responsible for hiring and firing without say of the board, which can also be frustrating.

While the petition is only advisory, Forrester said it will give the board direction of how the voters feel on the topic.

“The language as it was submitted was not technically correct, and because of that, it is going on the warrant as advisory, but in my mind that is not necessarily a bad thing,” Forrester said.

Forrester said if the administrator form of government is favored by voters, the board can put it on the ballot for next year’s Town Meeting.

A request for comment from Milner was not returned.

The selectboard meets at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, at the Meredith Community Center.