Source: http://www.townofsebago.org/Pages/SebagoME_Ordinances/code
Timestamp: 2013-05-23 11:15:15
Document Index: 386993718

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2635', '§2', '§106', '§2', '§8', '§ 2636']

Town of Sebago, Maine - Code of Conduct
E-Check or Credit Card Paymentor by phone at 800-272-9829 (use Jurisdiction Code 2930). Code of Conduct
The purpose of this policy is to define the executive role and attendant duties of the Board of Selectmen in carrying out its policy functions as part of Sebago’s town government, to clarify the separation of the Board’s executive role from the legislative role of the Town Meeting and the administrative role of the Town Manager, and to set forth a code of conduct that governs how the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager will function in relation to one another and in relation to the public that they both serve. Section 2. Definitions
A) Town Meeting – Selectmen – Manager form of government – The Town of Sebago has adopted the town meeting-selectmen-manager form of government. Under this form of government the legislative and executive functions are divided: · The Town Meeting performs the election function and the legislative function of adopting governmental policy, levying taxes and raising and appropriating monies, authorizing the contracting of debts, etc. · The Board of Selectmen is the executive body that interprets, processes, and sets the policies of the town and chooses the course of action between town meetings, has ultimate administrative responsibility to see that the governmental policies are carried out (but must deal with administration solely through the town manager), and appoints and supervises the Town Manager. · The Town Manager executes and carries out the government and fiscal policies with guidance from the Board of Selectmen and has direct responsibility for and authority over all administrative functions. The Town Manager carries out the day-to-day operations of the town, acting as the Chief Administrator.
B) Role of the Board of Selectmen - 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2635 is titled “The Board of selectmen to act as a body, administrative service to be performed through town manager, committees” and states “It is the intention of this subchapter that the board of selectmen as a body [emphasis added] shall exercise all administrative and executive powers of the town except as provided in this subchapter. The board of selectmen shall deal with the administrative services solely through the town manager and shall not give orders to any subordinates of the manager, either publicly or privately. This section does not prevent the board of selectmen from appointing committees or
commissions of its own members or of citizens to conduct investigations into the conduct of any official or department, or any matter relating to the welfare of the town." (See 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, Â§2 (new); Pt. C, Â§106 (new); 1989, c. 6 (amd); c. 9, Â§2 (amd); c. 104, Pt. C, Â§Â§8, 10 (amd).)
C) Role of the Town Manager – The Town Manager is the single chief administrator accountable to the Board of Selectmen for the performance of his/her duties. The Town Manager is given the responsibility to appoint all department heads and through them all other employees. The Town Manager prepares the financial plan for approval by the legislative body and is responsible for administering the budget once enacted. The Town Manager is specifically responsible for all the administrative functions. The Town Manager coordinates all administrative activities. The Town Manager is in a position to provide expert information on the needs and status of various governmental activities. The Town Manager regulates departmental spending and reports on the financial
needs of each of the branches of government. Within the framework of the policies laid down by the legislative and executive body of the town, the Town Manager can formulate and carry out an administrative plan for governmental activity allowing for regular and orderly development. (Source of reference - National Municipal League, Forms of Municipal Government, 1968, p. 12.)
· Limit contact to specific Town staff. Questions of Town staff and/or requests for additional background information should be directed only to the Town Manager. · Never publicly criticize an individual employee. Concerns about staff performance should only be made to the Town Manager through private conversation.
Section 4. Duties of the Town Manager Based on 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2636, the Maine statute that delineates most of the authorities and responsibilities of a town manager, the Town Manager shall:
· Perform such other duties related to the functions, duties and authorities set forth herein, as may be prescribed by the Board of Selectmen and by any applicable state or local laws or ordinances. Section 5. Code of Conduct of the Board of Selectmen The Board of Selectmen shall conduct its duties in accordance with this code of conduct to the extent possible:
· Adopt and implement town policy that is fair, impartial, and meets the objective of furthering the quality of life in Sebago for its citizens. · Work cooperatively as a Board of Selectmen in presenting issues involved in referenda such as bond issues, annexations, and similar matters.
Section 6. Code of Conduct of the Town Manager Based on Maine Town City Management Association Code of Ethics, the Town Manager shall conduct his or her duties in accordance with this code of conduct to the extent possible: