Tisbury officials are beginning to discuss a potential change in the structure of its municipal government that would replace the town administrator’s job with the more independent position of town manager.
Tisbury officials are beginning to discuss a potential change in the structure of its municipal government that would replace the town administrator’s job with the more independent position of town manager.
The town administrator, currently John (Jay) Grande, has limited decision-making power and must seek the approval of the select board for most executive actions. A town manager, by comparison, would have authority over all municipal departments and staff.
Mr. Grande said Tuesday that he supports the change, which is recommended strongly by the consulting firm that has been working with residents to develop a master plan for the town.
“Under the governance section of the master plan, one of the cornerstones... is the establishment of the position of town manager,” he said.
Making the shift in Tisbury would require a town meeting vote authorizing special legislation on Beacon Hill, said Mr. Grande, who encouraged the select board to form an advisory committee for that purpose.
The town finance and advisory committee has unanimously recommended the board also establish a capital planning advisory committee, fincom chair Nancy Gilfoy said.
“Capital planning is an important process that we need to strengthen... with prioritizing [and] figuring out funding sources,” she said, noting that the town owns multiple properties and has significant debt.
“The concern of the finance and advisory committee is we need to be more transparent to the taxpayers,” Ms. Gilfoy said.
Mr. Grande suggested the capital planning committee should include the town moderator, town clerk and members designated by the select and planning boards, along with himself and finance director Jon Snyder as non-voting members.
In the absence of select board member Christina Colarusso Tuesday, members John Cahill and chair Roy Cutrer took no immediate action on either the town manager committee or the capital planning committee recommendations, opting to take them up at the next board meeting March 7.

Comments
This is a great idea. I would
Vineyard Haven Strong VHThis is a great idea. I would love to see a town manger or mayor that is paid well and has the best interests of the town at heart.
OMG, Me Thinks this would
Brandon Tranzenheil TisburyOMG, Me Thinks this would have to be tightly controlled or we'll go to the polls kicking and screaming.
So, let me get this straight.
JASON D PERINGER Vineyard HavenSo, let me get this straight... the proposal is to give MORE power to a position that just last year began a MAJOR renovation on Main Street in Vineyard Haven without proper notice to ANY of the property owners or businesses? The SAME town administrator who continually proposes moving the town hall to the former Educomp building? The very Jay Grande who used the tax rate of Weston, MA to compare the tax rate of Tisbury after the over-ride for the Tisbury school with no context to household income between the two towns? It's too early for April Fool's Day, so this is simple lunacy! The current town administrator continues to laude the town's bond rating without EVER mentioning the servicing fees, starts projects like the Main Street renovation without completing what was planned for more than a decade ago, (removal of the utility poles) and proposes short-sighted town changes like leasing temporary buildings instead of considering the long term benefits of establishing a town hall/municipal building on town land that could benefit from state and federal funding/grants. Oh, now THERE'S an idea... establish/create a position in the town for writing grants, a position that will CREATE A SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR TOWN PROJECTS!! How about putting THAT proposal as an article for the town meeting?
We could have used the
Fed-up TISBURYWe could have used the TISBURY school building for a municipal center had we only accepted the grant money to build a new school. Talk about squandering dollars and missed opportunities! Voters need to be aware of long term needs.
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