TOWN GOVERNMENT
The Town of Kittery operates under a Council-manager form of government, an organizational framework which has grown widely in popularity since its inception in the early 1900's. It provides town government with policy direction from the Town Council and professional administration through the Town Manager.
The Town Council
The Town Council acts as the governing body of the Town, with all the regulatory and corporate powers of a municipal corporation provided under the Maine law. In general, the Council supervises the operations of town government by establishing Town policies and programs and appropriating funds for each Town department.
The Town Council consists of seven (7) Council members. The Council is the policy-making body of the Town and is held ultimately responsible for implementation of all programs and services provided by the Town. The Council approves most ordinances, resolutions and contracts. The Council reviews proposals for community needs, initiates actions for new programs and determines the ability to provide financing. The Council approves and modifies the budget as prepared by the Town Manager and staff.
Regular Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of the month, except as provided by Charter, commencing at 7:00PM. Council Meetings are video- taped and replayed on Comcast Cable Channel 22 on the following Tuesday evening at 7:00PM.
Committees and Boards
Committees and Boards are standing bodies established by a State statute, Town ordinance and/or Town Charter and appointed by the Town Council to provide ongoing citizen input on major policy areas. Most appointments are for three years and terms are staggered to provide for continuity. The term "board" or "Committee" members will be used interchangeably and in lieu of Commission/ Committee/ Commissioners." In this handbook, the generic term "Board" includes Authority; Commission; Committee; Council; Trust. The responsibilities of the members include:
1. Providing ongoing recommendations to the Town Council and staff regarding special program areas.
2. Holding public hearings to solicit community input on current issues.
3. Identifying issues that the Committee/Board believes should be addressed by the Town Council or staff.
The Town Council benefits by using Committees and Boards in their decision-making process by relying on these bodies to:
1. Focus attention on specific issues.
2. Encourage broad citizen participation through public hearings.
3. Weigh community values in making recommendations to the Council.
4. Thoroughly research and review alternatives to accompany formal recommendations to the Council.
Staff
The Town Staff, under the direction of the Town Manager, is responsible for carrying out the policy of the Town Council, enforcing ordinances and implementing programs and services. The Town Manager is appointed by and reports to the Town Council. All other Department Heads and staff members are hired by, and responsible to, the Town Manager. As the Town's Chief Executive Officer, the Town Manager oversees responsibilities for the day to-day administrative affairs of the town, including assigning staff liaisons to assist the various boards and Committees. Committees and Boards work closely with the staff liaisons; however, they do not have the authority to supervise or direct the work of staff. Special assignments to staff are made through the Town Manager.
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