By KEVIN NEVERS

What had been watered down is now beefed up, and the question of the degree of authority which a Chesterton Town Manager would be granted now appears to have been answered: he or she would—consistent with state statute—have a supervisory function and would have the power to hire and fire employees.

At its meeting Monday night, the Town Council voted 3-0 to approve on its first reading an ordinance which explicitly defines the duties and purview of a town manager. Members Dave Cincoski, R-3rd, and Sharon Darnell, D-4th, were not in attendance, a suspension of the rules is not permissible with fewer than four members present, and so the council will consider the ordinance on final reading at its next meeting, July 28.

When the council last discussed the issue of town manager, at a special meeting in April, a consensus emerged to strip the position of most of the key powers provided by Indiana Code: the Chesterton Town Manager would merely “coordinate and assist the operations of all departments,” and would not specifically have any authority to hire and fire.

The ordinance approved on first reading on Monday, however, stands that consensus on its head and could hardly be clearer about the municipal hierarchy: the town manager, it reads, “shall supervise and coordinate the operations of all Chesterton town departments. Personnel matters involving department heads are to be determined by the Town Council, with the advice of the town manager.”

More: “To the extent it does not conflict with Indiana state law, the town manager shall hire, after receiving the recommendation of the applicable department head, town employees who are authorized to be hired by the Town Council according to pay schedule and standards fixed by the Town Council.”

And finally: “To the extent it does not conflict with Indiana state law, the town manager shall suspend, discharge, remove, and transfer town employees after receiving the recommendation of the applicable department head, if necessary or desirable for the welfare of the town.”

As Town Attorney Chuck Lukmann noted, though, in practice state statute governs most of the hiring and firing done by a municipality. Thus the Metropolitan Police Commission is charged with hiring and firing police officers, the Utility with that of its employees, and so on. Generally speaking, he said, the Chesterton Town Manager would have the authority to hire and fire the employees of only two departments: Street and Building.

Meanwhile, the ordinance also defines a town manager’s primary responsibilities: he or she shall “be the lead/contact person for the Chesterton Town Council in regards to economic development initiatives and issues, planning functions, citizen issues, public relations, and any other duties designated by the Town Council. Additionally, the town manager shall seek out, obtain, and administer grants for all departments of the Town of Chesterton.”

It is unclear at this point the impact of the “planning functions” clause of this job description on the current position of Town Planning Director, presently held by Utility Superintendent Steve Yagelski.

Members approved this ordinance on first reading without discussion.

Posted 7/15/2008