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The Monument
A reader from Gray asked us to show in pictorial form
how town government works. They wanted to know who
answers to whom, and what the individual duties were.
We aim to please, and thank you for asking.
This information was collected from Gray's governing
document, the Town Charter. A charter copy can be
obtained at Town offices at 6 Shaker Road, and soon
it will be online at www.graymaine.org.
Town
Council:
The Town Council is elected by the townspeople.
The Council has the power to:
Appoint a Town Manager and a Tax Assessor.
Appoint members of the Planning Board, the Zoning
Board of Appeals, and the Board of Assessment Review.
Appoint a Town Attorney and a Town Auditor who shall
serve at the will of the Council.
Appoint members to other committees created by the
Council.
Remove, for cause, the Manager, Assessor, and members
of any Town boards or committees appointed by the
Council.
Create, change, or abolish departments and committees
(except those established by Charter).
Make, alter, and repeal ordinances, and grant licenses
and permits.
Inquire into the conduct of any office, department
or agency of the Town, and investigate municipal affairs.
Deal with the administrative service (Department Heads
and Town employees) solely through the Town Manager.
Adopt an annual budget for Town Meeting approval.
Provide for an annual financial Audit.
Town Manager
The Town Manager is appointed by the Council.
The powers and duties of the Town Manager include
the following:
The Manager is Town Clerk, Tax Collector, Town Treasurer,
Administrator of General Assistance, and Road Commissioner.
The Manager is the administrative head of the Town,
and appoints, removes, and fixes the compensation
of all Town officers and employees, other than those
provided for in the Charter.
The Manager prepares the annual budget, administers
the budget after voter adoption, and prepares the
annual Town Report after the annual audit is completed.
The Manager attends Council meetings, advises the
Council on the financial condition and future needs
of the Town, sees that all laws and ordinances are
faithfully administered, and acts as purchasing agent
for the Town departments.
Source:
Gray Town Charter
