Future Of North Adams
North Adams, MaPopulation and Housing Stats
|
We need the Following Beverages of life. "Drink Up '
|
Difference between
|
Moving from a "politicaly torn mayor" form of government to a council-town manager
Moving from a "politicaly torn mayor" form of government to a council-town manager structure is a major structural shift for a municipality. Towns typically make this transition to separate political campaigning from the day-to-day administrative realities of running a complex local government.
The primary reasons communities vote to make this transition include:
Professionalization of Management
Reduction of Political Interference
Increased Accountability and Flexibility
Long-Term Stability
The primary reasons communities vote to make this transition include:
Professionalization of Management
- Expertise and Training: Town managers are highly trained professionals who usually hold advanced degrees, such as a Master of Public Administration (MPA). Mayors are elected based on their ideas, popularity, and political vision, but they may lack the technical background required to run a complex public operation.
- Operational Competence: A town manager brings specific expertise in critical administrative areas like municipal budgeting, contract negotiation, personnel management, and public policy implementation.
Reduction of Political Interference
- Separation of Powers: The council-manager form establishes a clear line between policy and administration. The elected council focuses on setting the vision and passing laws, while the manager focuses purely on executing them.
- Mitigating Favoritism: Strong mayor systems can sometimes fall prey to political patronage, where department heads are appointed based on political loyalty rather than merit. A town manager operates on professional standards and hires personnel based strictly on qualifications.
Increased Accountability and Flexibility
- Tested Daily: Unlike an elected mayor who serves out a fixed 2- or 4-year term regardless of poor management, a town manager is directly accountable to the town council.
- Easy Removal: If a town manager fails to perform or loses the trust of the legislative body, they can be terminated at any time by a vote of the council, allowing the town to quickly correct operational failures.
Long-Term Stability
- Continuity of Services: Mayoral transitions can result in high turnover of key department heads and sudden pivots in operational priorities. Town managers provide a stable environment, guiding municipal staff with a long-term operational horizon that persists through election cycles.
- Talent Retention: A professional environment led by a manager makes it easier for a town to attract and retain highly qualified, technical staff who prefer stability over shifting political winds
Comparison Overview
FeatureChief Executive
Primary Skillset Accountability Staff Appointments |
Political Mayor SystemElected official (Political leader)
Political campaigning, community vision Accountable to voters at fixed election intervals Often subject to political influence or favoritism |
Town Manager SystemAppointed professional (Non-political)
Public administration, budgeting, logistics Accountable daily to the elected Town Council Based strictly on professional merit and credentials |
How is this system better than the current structure, in which we have an elected Mayor and a Chief of Staff?
]Our North Adams mayor is expected to be the chief executive officer of the City as well as the legislative, political, and ceremonial leader.
There are too many responsibilities for one person and they demand different kinds of talents.The Chief of Staff is hired by and reports to the Mayor and serves as the chief administrative office. But any authority that the Chief of Staff has, such as supervising department heads, is delegated by the Mayor, which creates confusion about who has true authority to make decisions. This is especially true when a Mayor does not give clear or consistent direction to the Chief of Staff. An appointed City Manager is neutral politically and will ensure that the policies created by Common Council and the Mayor are implemented.
Every mayor of North Adams for the past fifty years has advocated for a significant change in the structure of city government, as the current system cannot provide the citizens of North Adams the level of service they want and deserve.
There are too many responsibilities for one person and they demand different kinds of talents.The Chief of Staff is hired by and reports to the Mayor and serves as the chief administrative office. But any authority that the Chief of Staff has, such as supervising department heads, is delegated by the Mayor, which creates confusion about who has true authority to make decisions. This is especially true when a Mayor does not give clear or consistent direction to the Chief of Staff. An appointed City Manager is neutral politically and will ensure that the policies created by Common Council and the Mayor are implemented.
Every mayor of North Adams for the past fifty years has advocated for a significant change in the structure of city government, as the current system cannot provide the citizens of North Adams the level of service they want and deserve.
Does this system weaken the power of the voters
To the contrary; this will strengthen the power of voters, as it further empowers all members of Common Council, who will have direct oversight over and the power to dismiss the City Manager. Currently the Chief Executive is held accountable by voters only once every four years, and then only if there is a viable challenger running for Mayor.
Voters will continue to choose the Town Management, who in the new system will be a full voting member of Common Council; currently the Town Manager only votes when there is tie. The Town Manager and Council will still be responsible for making laws, setting direction and policy, and determining the financial priorities for the City, which the Town Manager will respect.
Voters will continue to choose the Town Management, who in the new system will be a full voting member of Common Council; currently the Town Manager only votes when there is tie. The Town Manager and Council will still be responsible for making laws, setting direction and policy, and determining the financial priorities for the City, which the Town Manager will respect.
Will this cost the taxpayers more money?
With salary and benefits the Mayor, the Mayor’s executive assistant, and the Chief of Staff cost the City approximately $TBD. Under the new structure, the full-time City Manager will earn a bit more than the Chief of Staff and the
With salary and benefits the Mayor, the Mayor’s executive assistant, and the Chief of Staff cost the City approximately $TBD. Under the new structure, the full-time City Manager will earn a bit more than the Chief of Staff and the Town Manager will earn slightly less than the current Mayor.
With a full-time executive assistant to the City Manager the total cost would be approximately the same. And because the City Manager is a professional manager, the City will become more efficient in its operations in the long run.
For comparison, note that Tompkins County pays an Administrator, two deputy administrators, and an executive assistant $TBD per year to oversee its budget of approximately $54.9 million ($54,964,135.99), and 750 employees in 31 departments serving 12,000 residents, and 5,652 households
With salary and benefits the Mayor, the Mayor’s executive assistant, and the Chief of Staff cost the City approximately $TBD. Under the new structure, the full-time City Manager will earn a bit more than the Chief of Staff and the Town Manager will earn slightly less than the current Mayor.
With a full-time executive assistant to the City Manager the total cost would be approximately the same. And because the City Manager is a professional manager, the City will become more efficient in its operations in the long run.
For comparison, note that Tompkins County pays an Administrator, two deputy administrators, and an executive assistant $TBD per year to oversee its budget of approximately $54.9 million ($54,964,135.99), and 750 employees in 31 departments serving 12,000 residents, and 5,652 households
How will the Town Manager be evaluated?
Common Council will develop a procedure, based on best practices, for reviewing the City Manager annually. As the elected leader who will work most closely with the City Manager the Mayor will play a key role in these annual evaluations.
How will the Town Manager be removed?
The City Manager may serve at the pleasure of Common Council or have a contract with a 4-5 year term and a clause allowing Common Council to terminate the contract with a super-majority.
Will there be a Deputy or Assistant City Manager?
It would certainly be necessary to have a designated deputy to serve as City Manager during vacations, incapacitation, or in the event of the City Manager’s termination or resignation. For an organization the size of the City of North Adams, it is reasonable to have a deputy City Manager, appointed by the City Manager with the approval of Common Council, to assist in managing the city.
How will this change happen?
Common Council will vote on legislation to change the City Charter in 2027 In November 2027 the voters will vote on a referendum. If the change is approved, the search for a manager would begin in 2027, with the goal of having our first City Manager in office on 1 January 2028.
Putting North Adams back on tract to being the Best North Adams has to offer
Fellow Noth Adams Neibors ,
If you are like me, you care deeply about "Our" North Adams. You care that "Our" families thrive. You
care that that good careers are abundant. You care that "Our" businesses and neibors prosper. You Demand
that "Our" government works for us, "the people" — not the other way around. If our Government is truely
of good intentions ask yourself why is the Union needed for town employees?
You Like I want our schools are breeding grounds of leaders to lead our future nation, even our future world.
That our streets are safe and no one feels threatened in their own home. We must encourage growth and
stop goverment from reaching its sticky fingers into our hard-earned savings.
Our state is struggling in these tough times, and you can't help but wonder if our current government body
is doing anything to help us in our pursuit to happiness. The current mayor and counselors are raising taxes
and defending "hack holidays." Ethics violations and corruption has engulfed current City hall, and new policies
get debated in secret, behind closed doors, out of the public view.
It's time for a new direction for North Adams. It's time to clean up the political mess in our government.
The solution to the problems in North Adams is not new taxes or laws, the solution is Accountable leaderahip.
I ask you to join us so we can make North Adams a vibrant, ethical Managed city. As well as help to clean
out current Failed councilors that have the interests in oneself verses our Towns well being. There are a
good number of councilor candidates dedicated to restoring good and efficient government, and this can only
begin with changing the leadership and cleaning up the political mess on Allen Street.
As a resident, I have begun to focus on industry professionals with projects to create careers so we can take
advantage of our great strengths, such as dedicated and impassioned activists, accomplished and willing volunteers,
and a resonant message that rings true and clear with North Adams voters. You will hear more about this project
in the weeks to come.
Together, we will grow this community from the grassroots up, building a strong base from which we can launch winning
environments for all to enjoy. Leadership should continue to be the voice for common sense and honesty in our North
Adams. By promoting honest, hard-working residents and defending our values, the Mark Marciano Mayoral Party will
try to deliver a brighter future to the residents of North Adams. We need to start now. Please assist me in the replacing
the failed system of the Moyorship charter with the Charter of a Town Manager that will ansqwe t the towns people. One that
is a native of North Adams or Adams to Guarantee the Adams Herritage isnt lost to some outside hacks who care less for us.
We need city managers that exercise "CARE" — Courteous, Attentive, Respect and Enthusiasm — when it comes to the handling
of our concerns as residents. I would use CARE as your mayor. I would also be the first mayor in the country to put Web
cams in ALL City Hall offices and I would streamline City Hall so that it would be the consortium that would be open to
the needs of our residents at their convenience.
Together we can accomplish many things. On Sept. 22, 2009, vote for Mark Marciano. I am No. 4 on the preliminary ballot.
If you have any questions, you can reach me at at this time via email.
If you are like me, you care deeply about "Our" North Adams. You care that "Our" families thrive. You
care that that good careers are abundant. You care that "Our" businesses and neibors prosper. You Demand
that "Our" government works for us, "the people" — not the other way around. If our Government is truely
of good intentions ask yourself why is the Union needed for town employees?
You Like I want our schools are breeding grounds of leaders to lead our future nation, even our future world.
That our streets are safe and no one feels threatened in their own home. We must encourage growth and
stop goverment from reaching its sticky fingers into our hard-earned savings.
Our state is struggling in these tough times, and you can't help but wonder if our current government body
is doing anything to help us in our pursuit to happiness. The current mayor and counselors are raising taxes
and defending "hack holidays." Ethics violations and corruption has engulfed current City hall, and new policies
get debated in secret, behind closed doors, out of the public view.
It's time for a new direction for North Adams. It's time to clean up the political mess in our government.
The solution to the problems in North Adams is not new taxes or laws, the solution is Accountable leaderahip.
I ask you to join us so we can make North Adams a vibrant, ethical Managed city. As well as help to clean
out current Failed councilors that have the interests in oneself verses our Towns well being. There are a
good number of councilor candidates dedicated to restoring good and efficient government, and this can only
begin with changing the leadership and cleaning up the political mess on Allen Street.
As a resident, I have begun to focus on industry professionals with projects to create careers so we can take
advantage of our great strengths, such as dedicated and impassioned activists, accomplished and willing volunteers,
and a resonant message that rings true and clear with North Adams voters. You will hear more about this project
in the weeks to come.
Together, we will grow this community from the grassroots up, building a strong base from which we can launch winning
environments for all to enjoy. Leadership should continue to be the voice for common sense and honesty in our North
Adams. By promoting honest, hard-working residents and defending our values, the Mark Marciano Mayoral Party will
try to deliver a brighter future to the residents of North Adams. We need to start now. Please assist me in the replacing
the failed system of the Moyorship charter with the Charter of a Town Manager that will ansqwe t the towns people. One that
is a native of North Adams or Adams to Guarantee the Adams Herritage isnt lost to some outside hacks who care less for us.
We need city managers that exercise "CARE" — Courteous, Attentive, Respect and Enthusiasm — when it comes to the handling
of our concerns as residents. I would use CARE as your mayor. I would also be the first mayor in the country to put Web
cams in ALL City Hall offices and I would streamline City Hall so that it would be the consortium that would be open to
the needs of our residents at their convenience.
Together we can accomplish many things. On Sept. 22, 2009, vote for Mark Marciano. I am No. 4 on the preliminary ballot.
If you have any questions, you can reach me at at this time via email.