Oakland aldermen discuss charter change to shift hiring authority to town manager; workshop set for Oct. 16

Vice Mayor Cates introduced Resolution 25‑29, a proposed charter amendment intended to transfer the authority to appoint and remove department heads, including the town recorder, from the mayor and board to the town manager.

Town Manager Mister Ellis and Town Attorney Mister Minor both participated in discussion about the draft language. Board members requested explicit appeal language so an employee who believes a termination was unjust can appeal to the mayor and board; Attorney Minor pointed out the draft already includes a provision that "any terminated town employee shall have the right to appeal the termination to the mayor and board." Board members also debated whether the board should review resumes for department head hires; the attorney advised that language requiring board review of resumes is better placed in a resolution or personnel policy rather than the charter.

Several aldermen said they wanted a dedicated workshop to review charter changes and clean up wording. Board members noted that charter amendments require four affirmative votes and two readings. A motion to table the resolution was made and subsequently withdrawn; the board agreed to hold a workshop at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16, before the regular 7 p.m. meeting, to continue drafting and discussion.

No final vote on Resolution 25‑29 occurred at the meeting; board members instructed staff and counsel to prepare revised language and a possible separate resolution addressing the board’s role in hiring materials for consideration at the workshop.