China selectmen approve metal can purchase for transfer station

by Mary Grow

The major decision at an unusually short Feb. 3 China selectmen’s meeting was to buy a new large metal can for waste from the new pre-crusher at the transfer station. Without it, Town Manager Dennis Heath explained, staff would have no replacement under the mixed waste hopper while a filled can is hauled away.

Heath commended Transfer Station Manager Tim Grotton for arranging to sell a can too old to use for enough money to lower the cost of the new one to $8,100. Estimates had ranged from $10,000 to$13,000.

Selectmen voted to take the $8,100 from the $55,000 contingency fund voters granted them for unexpected expenses during the 2019-20 fiscal year. Later, as Heath presented his monthly financial summary, they discovered the contingency fund has less than $4,000 left in it.

They therefore amended their vote and will pay for the new waste can from the equipment reserve fund.

After the meeting, Heath shared a summary of the $51,311 spent from the contingency fund. More than $42,000 went to install three-phase power at the transfer station, primarily to accommodate the pre-crusher. Central Maine Power Company claimed the lion’s share; Windsor electrician Dan Finley was paid for labor and materials.

Heath commented that Grotton reported a welcome increase in the price China gets for one recycled material: cardboard is now worth $100 a ton, up from a negligible amount some months ago.

The Feb. 3 meeting included an executive session to discuss an employment agreement between the selectmen and Heath. Heath reported afterward board members approved a town manager’s job description and asked Heath to submit a draft employment agreement at their next regular meeting (see below).

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Feb. 18, to avoid the Presidents’ Day holiday. Before then, selectmen have scheduled a Monday, Feb. 10, special meeting to review articles for the April 6 town business meeting, and the budget committee will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 12, for the same purpose. All meetings are at 6:30 p.m. in the town office meeting room.

Description of town manager’s responsibilities

This is the position description for the China Town Manager, approved after the executive session of the China Select Board, on February 3, 2020. The draft employment agreement will be presented at the next select board meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2020. (Monday is Presidents Day).

The Town Manager

This is responsible leadership work as chief executive and chief administrative official of the Town. The Manager is under the direction of the Board of Selectmen. Performance must be in accordance with the Maine Statutes and local ordinances.

Employee of this class is responsible for the achievement of tangible results through people. Work involves a certain degree of urgency to produce and will require firm dealing with people to achieve results. Work involves planning, budget making, problem solving and organizing with the authority to make decisions as well as delegate to others. The work environment is relatively unpredictable and requires the ability to manage many projects at once. Although governed by policies, the Manager must frequently act without precedent.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Examples of Work (Illustrative Only):

• Maintains the administrative organization of the Town to ensure efficiency of operation. Oversees the accounting of all monies of the Town.
• Makes monthly reports to Board of Selectmen pertaining to the financial status of the Town. Annually prepares a proposed budget and work program for the Town.
• Prepares an annual report of the previous year’s activities for presentation to the Board of Selectmen and citizens of the Town.
• Appoints, with Board of Selectmen approval, all department heads and supervises their performance on a day-to-day basis.
• Oversees the hiring, evaluating, promoting, and disciplining of employees or establishes procedures for others to follow in such matters.
• Recommends an annual salary schedule for the Town employees for Board of Selectmen consideration.
• Identifies service and policy needs of The Town and brings to the attention of the Board of Selectmen with recommendations for action.
• Maintains a sound public relations posture between the Town and its citizens, the press, and other federal, state and local governmental agencies.
• Coordinates departmental activities, and sets attainable goals for all municipal departments. Act as purchasing agent for all municipal departments, and oversees the bid process on major purchases.
• Maintains contact with public by handling suggestions, complaints and information requests.
• Carries out the directives of the Board of Selectmen.
• Attends meetings of the Board of Selectmen, preparing its agendas, providing supporting documents and information pertinent to agenda items.
• Attends various meetings on behalf of the Town.
• Prepares federal and State grant requests and administers grant programs.
• Enforces municipal and State codes.
• Ex-officio member of numerous municipal committees.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements of Work:

• Thorough knowledge of municipal management and community problems.
• Thorough understanding of administrative organization, design, and evaluation.
• Thorough knowledge of financial administration and the design of financial accounting and reporting system.
• Thorough knowledge of the theory and practice of public personnel administration.
• Thorough knowledge of municipal government programs and decision-making processes. Working knowledge of State and federal programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to listen to others.
• Possess conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to direct and supervise others and to delegate.
• Ability to organize and use time effectively.
• Ability to give and accept constructive criticism.
• Knowledge of road maintenance.
• Employee must be goal-minded and possess a self-starting drive to get things done, frequently through other people.
• Employee must be able to react quickly to changing situations which may be physically taxing.
• Employee must be positive and direct in striving to achieve results, but must at times be able to motivate others to act through persuasiveness and the generation of enthusiasm.
• Ability to act independently and without precedent in the face of problems.

Training and Experience Required:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university program in public administration or a related field, and at least five years experience as chief administrative officer in a municipal government; or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Duty Assignments:

• Tax Collector
• Treasurer
• Road Commissioner
• Emergency Preparedness Director
• Agent to Overseers of the Poor
• General Assistance Administrator
• Public Access Officer
• Building Official
• Ex-Officio Member of all Committees/Boards.