From the Town Administrator

by Michael Canales, Town Administrator

I was asked about what groups I meet with regularly, how they are used to help me with the operation of the town and if this was a substantive shift in the way the town operates.

I don't know if this process is a substantive shift in governance, but it is a process that I believe is a best practice. I was hired by the selectboard due to my organizational, communication, and community leadership skills that I had acquired over twenty years in municipal government. While I have experience in municipal government what I didn't have is experience in Stockbridge itself.

How to understand Stockbridge and its unique challenges?

• I attend various board and committee meetings
• I met individually and in groups with the chairs of boards and committees to discuss town issues.
• I establish groups to meet with monthly to organize upcoming events, review policies, and plan for the daily operation of the town
  • Public Safety Group — Police Chief, Emergency Management Director, \& Fire Chief
  • Finance Team — Accountant, Tax Collector/Treasurer, Assistant Tax Collector/Treasurer \& Assessor
  • Public Works Group — Water Superintendent, Highway Superintendent, and Waste/Water Superintendent
  • Town Hall Staff Meetings — non department specific.

Let's look at an issue that started in an internal group and concluded with the annual town meeting. The Public Works Group began discussing the Tuckerman Bridge and the possibility of installing a water line. We reviewed Mass DOT Bridge Inspection reports and realized that a critical failure had been identified. The bridge had its weight allowances reduced and if not addressed would have led to closure. We used engineering funds to have an assessment completed. The report was presented to the Select Board, the Water and Sewer Commission and the Finance Committee. As part of the budget process, funding for the replacement of the structure was placed on the warrant at Town Meeting. The article was approved, and work is now underway.

This process allows me to meet with small internal groups, then with appropriate public body and if needed placed on the town meeting warrant. On the way, through consensus building, we try to develop a decision that can best serve the community as a whole.

Please Note: The OML does not apply to committees or boards informally appointed by individual officials to carry out duties that are assigned to such officials.

Editor's Note: SU asked, and Canales answered. Do you have a question? Next issue — more from our Town Administrator — some serious and some amusing

Photo: Lionel Delevingne