Is “town manager” really a profession?

When things have been done a certain way for as long as anyone can remember, we tend not to notice what works elsewhere.

The ICMA—International City/County Managers Association—is an organization that helps thousands of professionals who study and perform this work for a living, and also assists the many cities, towns and counties they serve. New York State has its own chapter. In addition to holding conferences and offering continuing education for members, the association runs an active job placement service to connect municipalities and managers.

Hiring a career professional to manage town hall—reporting to the 5-member elected Town Board, which retains its full authority—can bring benefits to Riverhead through extensive training, experience, and stability.

Here are key sections of state law which expressly allow this change:

New York Town Law § 58: “Any town may, by local law, establish the office of town manager, provide for his appointment and delegate to such office such powers and duties as may be prescribed, modified or revoked from time to time by the town board.”

New York Town Law § 58-a. Powers and duties [excerpt] “The town manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the town and may be given such powers and duties by local law, as the town board in its discretion shall prescribe…provided, however, that the powers of legislation and appropriation shall be exercised by the town board.”

Back to Simms’ op-ed, “Four-year terms? Term limits? No, Riverhead needs a professional manager”