City charter commissioners unanimously backed a proposal Tuesday to create a chief operating officer to handle the administrative oversight of municipal departments.
The plan heads next to the City Council, where its fate is uncertain. Some councilors have expressed support for professional management while others have said they oppose it.
The report from the Charter Revision Commission, which will be submitted formally next week, also calls for the city to cease electing its treasurer, extending the registrars’ terms to four years and other minor matters.
But it’s the chief operating officer concept that is sure to generate the most attention because it involves a drastic change from Bristol’s 97-year history of leaving administration control in the hands of the mayor.
Though the proposal calls for the chief operating officer – a sort of city manager-lite – to report to the mayor, it lays out duties within the charter that leave it clear the position would have at least some independence from the city’s top elected official.
Once the council receives the report, it is obligated by the charter to hold a public hearing within 45 days and to make a decision soon after about whether to accept the recommendations, ask for revisions in them or reject them entirely, according to Edward Krawiecki, the city attorney.
If the council wants changes, which it normally does, a joint session would be held with councilors and charter commissioners hashing out what’s possible, officials said.
Tim Furey, the chairman of the charter panel, said that after the joint meeting, a final charter report can be filed.
At that point, the council would either accept the final report or reject it.
If it’s accepted, the proposals for charter changes would be placed on the November general election ballot so voters would have the final say
The city charter is the basic blueprint for city government, laying out the rules of how it is structured and how it is legally obligated to operate.
The charter commission has been reviewing possible changes since last year, tossing out most of the ideas before settling on the creation of a chief operating officer as its hallmark issue. If the plan succeeds, it would mark the most drastic change in city government since the creation of an elected Board of Education more than 15 years ago.
Furey praised the seven-member panel that has worked on the charter.
“Everyone’s worked very hard and done a great job,” Furey said.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
23 comments:
Not stupid!
This certainly goes against basic management concepts.
It will create uncertainty among the workers, and reduce accountability.
The dems like it because they will always have control of the Council, and therefore of the COO.
The finger pointing will be HUGE!
So what's the Mayor's role? I don't agree with this idea. They're just creating a new position to take the load off the dept. heads and the mayor. Big deal!
Shame on this lame commission!
“Everyone’s worked very hard and done a great job,” Furey said.
In other words everyone went along pretty much with what Furey wanted. Gee did they all get a gold star from you too Tim?
My prediction is that they'll end up creating a new administrator position similar to an Asst. Principal that will handle paper work mostly, that's it.
This committee was derived of a few prominent blow-hards and butt-kissers, so I would expect nothing less than nothing from this committee.
I understand there was nobody there last night to speak against it. If people didn't like the idea they should have voiced their reasons.
March 26, 2008 9:58 AM:
Unfortunately I agree.
Just another end around by the democrats, who always control the council and therefore be able to bypass the Mayor, no matter who he/she may be.
And it will be EXPENSIVE too!!!!
It will be interesting to see how the new Republican Town Chairman responds to this: it certainly will affect his party.
The union has to be pissed. Things will be different. ALL for the good. The union boys might have to finally work. GREAT JOB TIM AND KEN C.
Another expensive position that reports to the mayor and acts at the will of the Mayor.
JUST AN EXAMPLE: So if this new COO says that they need to lay off 5 people in Parks and 7 people in Public Works and the Mayor says no because the union will crucify him for it, then it doesn't happen.
So then why have the COO in the first place?
This position is nothing but an Aide to the Mayor - he/she will have no substantial decision making ability. Every idea and concept will still have to be approved by the Mayor and Council.
Another useless salary.
March 26, 2008 3:27 PM:
Give us a break.
Thank God for Tim Furry.
Art better be careful with this one. The Union doesn't like it at all and we all realize that the Union in Bristol is the new Hell's Angels.
I see a blood bath coming soon.
This time I agree with the Unions.
Tim Furey must think he is the next Tom O'Brien.
Better yet, he thinks he is glen klocko
I would not insult the hells angels by comparing with our local union whimps.
Hey pussy cat you ought to be thankful these union people don't really know who you are. Because you wouldn't dare say anything to their face. So I guess it's you that is the "wimp" Thgat's tothe brave 5:48 poster.
Down the chute with this harebrained idea!
DOA!!!
4-8-2008
End of story!
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