As Buxton searches for its next fire and police chiefs, the town should get ready to take out another help wanted ad – one seeking a town manager.
The recent departures of three of the town’s department heads and the recent problems uncovered in the recreation department are an indication that it’s time for the town to hire a professional manager.
No longer the rural farming community it once was, Buxton’s population has been growing in recent years, and that growth is placing new demands on town services and staff.
That doesn’t mean selectmen are incapable of managing the town. They just don’t have the training and experience professional managers have, and they are not paid like full-time employees. Hiring a manager also wouldn’t have to mean selectmen, or the voters who support them, would lose control over town affairs. The town manager would report to selectmen.
In recent months, Buxton has lost its recreation director, as well as its police and fire chiefs. While each of those resignations might have come for different reasons, the town should consider carefully whether they are, as a whole, an indication of an unstable work environment. The town has struggled to hang on to a police chief in recent years. Chief Jody Thomas had a long tenure in town, but it’s worth noting she once left because of political unrest.
The problems the town recently uncovered with the finances in the recreation department are another prime example of why a manager is needed. Chris Barstow, the recreation director, resigned recently after an audit uncovered what an accountant characterized as mismanagement of town finances. Not only were large amounts of fees for recreation programs going uncollected, but also Barstow was using a town cell phone for personal use and a town credit card to fill up his car as mileage compensation.
The problems are, at the very least, an indication that town policies regarding use of town property weren’t as clear as they could have been. Selectmen have adopted new accounting procedures to make sure problems do not arise again, but what the town needs is professional management and oversight of its department heads.
As it stands, Buxton’s department heads report to everyone – five selectmen who ultimately answer to voters. Selectmen can come and go, and one might not agree with another. A single town manager could provide more stability and accountability.
A little national attention
It was good to see that the presidential campaign came to Maine Monday, as Republican candidate John McCain made an appearance in South Portland at the opening of the Maine Military Museum.
With just four electoral votes, Maine doesn’t always get much attention from presidential candidates, although being home to former president George H.W. Bush doesn’t hurt. McCain attended a private fundraiser at the former president’s home in Kennebunkport Monday morning.
Despite our modest share of the Electoral College and the fact that the state has been going Democratic in recent presidential elections, McCain’s rival, Democrat Barack Obama, should follow his lead and give Maine a little attention.
Brendan Moran, editor
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