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Committee debates town clerk’s reporting line and limits on commissioners’ direct requests to staff
Summary
Charter reviewers debated whether the town clerk should remain under the town manager’s administrative control and how to limit individual commissioners from directing or overburdening staff.
The Charter Review Committee devoted a large portion of the Feb. 18 meeting to how the charter allocates hiring, suspension and supervisory authority between the town manager and the commission — especially with respect to the town clerk — and to rules limiting direct commissioner contact with staff.
Several members recalled a 2017 charter change that moved the town clerk’s personnel authority under the town manager; others said the clerk’s role supporting elections and the commission argues for functional independence. "The commission cannot remove the town clerk," one member said, noting a past referendum and that the clerk’s duties have historically supported the commission. At the same time, others argued that placing the clerk under the town manager simplifies day-to-day operations and avoids five volunteer commissioners acting as de facto supervisors.
On investigations and staff inquiries, the committee discussed formal limits to prevent individual commissioners from repeatedly consuming staff time outside normal channels. Members described past instances in which requests became prolonged "investigations" that tied up staff. A range of drafting options was considered, from requiring all inquiries go through the town manager to allowing the commission, by majority vote, to direct the manager to support an internal inquiry. One suggested formulation was: the commission or its members "shall not interfere with the performance of the duties of any officer or employee" and "shall deal with such officers and employees only through the town manager," with a separate sentence authorizing the commission by majority vote to direct the town manager or staff to support inquiries and investigations.
Town attorney Ryan White and town clerk Amber Brown contributed legal and practical perspectives. White noted the charter and town code contain overlapping provisions and that the committee must reconcile them so daily operations are not impeded. Amber Brown described how day-to-day oversight by a single manager can provide quicker operational answers but acknowledged the commission’s need for oversight of election-related functions.
The committee asked the attorney to prepare alternative draft language that does two things: (1) clarifies whether the town clerk remains administratively supervised by the town manager or retained under commission control for specific functions; and (2) spells out a procedure for commissioner requests, distinguishing routine inquiries from formal investigations and allowing the commission to direct an investigation by majority vote. Members did not take a final vote; the attorney will circulate suggested edits before the next meeting.
