Town Government Structure Committee

Meeting date: 
Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Town of North Stonington

Town Government Structure Committee

February 15, 2017

Wheeler Library

 

Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm.

 

Attendance: Bill Ricker, Nita Kincaid, Dan Smith, Dan Spring, Anne Nelson

Absent: Paul Simonds

 

Meeting opened with discussion on the organization chart and we reviewed a copy of the town’s current governmental structure and chart.

The current town organization chart starts with appointees.

We discussed the day to day and future planning and goals operating in a “team” environment and how best staff, committees and boards can work together to accomplish goals.

Coordination & Collaboration: Single point person/team building

Director of Admin-Oversee rest of structure/add narrative to organizational chart/more descriptive to illustrate the collaborative and teamwork of staffing.

 

Organizational Chart:

-Work on finalizing chart utilizing current town chart

-Support what the new positions hierarchy is

-Clarity and autonomy goals/objectives by month and yearly (departments/boards/commissions)

-Clear expectations needed

-How their contribution makes a difference –feedback

-More critical information will be shared

 

Final Report to Town:

 

A.      Introduction and positive statement of what is working/accomplishments

1.      Pursue what can make a difference by strategic changes to optimize what is working, building on what we already have.

2.      Optimize-build more efficiency and approaches (POCD)

3.      Members of government are valuable sources

4.      Summary-benefits to town/community

 

B.      SURVEY

1.      41.8% return-Statistically significant return

2.      Should we first reference our extensive discovery and small town’s similarities?

3.      Took all research we compiled and then did case study for town survey, what we researched supported by town government response.

4.      Brief summary of open-ended questions such as economic development/quotes

5.      Take out skipped questions

6.      What is critical data that came out of survey?

 

Survey Questions:

-Made change to Main question “Is the present government structure of NS adequate in meeting the Town’s future needs?

Future needs of the Town are recognized to be at deficit by the lack of cohesive action intermediate and long term plans.

 

Recommendation: Second Paragraph: These positions are required to work closely with the First Selectmen and BOS creating a management team.

 

Discussion on presentation and offering copy of results to be available to respondents and available to community. Reviewed Capability vs. capacity, communication to the public and how this may be more effectively done in a responsible and consistent manner.

Capability defined: Enhancing the management of resources and support

Capacity + Coordination + Communication = Continuity

 

Slightly revised “investing for the Future” Flow chart to include “Benefit” in the center.

Add second slide to the Strategic Mission flow chart “Reconfigure Local Government around the Strategic Mission”

 

Final Thoughts:

-Strategic mission/ Pro’s vs Con’s

-To move things forward expeditiously no charter at this time but potentially for future

-INVESTING for the future

-Organization graphic chart-include in appendix

-Job Descriptions (Dan Smith will re-visit and draft final copy) Define title as well.

-Appendix-Clusters People, Written and Survey

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:22 pm. It was decided to meet again on Saturday February 25 from 9-12 or March 4 to finalize report. The next regular meeting will be held on February 22 at 7:30 pm, Wheeler Library.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Anne M Nelson