To the Editor:

The Board of Selectmen recently expressed interest in hiring a Town Administrator to oversee the day-to-day operations of town departments, a job currently done by the First Selectman. The Town Administrator would be a contract employee and report to the BOS with the First Selectman retaining ultimate responsibility for the administration of town government. This would be a significant change in how our town is run — but who would it benefit, and is it necessary?

At the November 21 BOS meeting the First Selectman said if a Town Administrator were to take over day-to-day management and it goes well, the Town Charter could be amended later, apparently to codify the position. “We’re not divorcing government from the citizenry,” he said. Well, if it’s not a divorce then it sure seems like a trial separation, and if the Charter were amended the divorce would become final.

The First Selectman also said a Town Administrator would “add another layer of stability.” Oh, my! Are the other layers becoming unstable? Is instability in our town government a real possibility? The town has always had many long-time employees and a good bond rating, a reflection of its managerial and financial stability across many administrations.

Selectman Owen pointed out the job of First Selectman has grown more complex, requires more skill and knowledge than in the past, and is very time consuming. A Town Administrator would “take pressure away from the First Selectman so he can be out there doing economic development and bigger projects that take more time without having to do day-to-day operations.” This statement overlooks two obvious facts that actually argue against hiring a Town Administrator.

The Town Charter states: “The Board of Selectmen shall supervise the administration of the affairs of the Town . . . [and] shall also be responsible for coordinating the activities of all the departments of the Town . . .” It gives these responsibilities to the Board of Selectmen, not to the First Selectman alone. We have three Selectmen. Why are we putting all the burden on one? Why not relieve some of the pressure by delegating some day-to-day management to the other two Selectmen?

Besides, do we really want an unelected Town Administrator to do what two elected Selectmen can do? Selectmen are accountable to residents; a Town Administrator would be accountable only to the BOS.

The other obvious fact Selectman Owen appears to have overlooked is the town already has an Economic and Community Development office and an Economic Development Commission, both involved in keeping and attracting businesses. Why would the First Selectman want to duplicate their efforts? Are they not doing a good job? As for “bigger projects,” the Charter gives the Board of Selectmen responsibility “for reviewing the present and future needs of the Town.” Isn’t the BOS already doing that?

The Board of Selectmen’s reasons for considering a Town Administrator seem specious, strained and self-serving. What do you think?

Glen Swanson

Sandy Hook