[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Westfield 1-7-1985 by L.L. No. 1-1985. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
In order to provide the most economical and
efficient overall direction, coordination and control of the day-to-day
activities and operations of the Village of Westfield, to minimize
the administrative details now handled by the Board of Trustees, to
provide centralized direction, coordination and control of Village
employees and to formalize the staff and advisory functions necessary
to the foregoing, the office of Village Administrator is hereby established
for said Village.
Appointment to this position shall be made by
the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, at the
annual meeting of the Board of Trustees. The term of office shall
be for a one-year period. For the first appointment, and whenever
there shall be a vacancy, an appointment may be made by the Mayor,
subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, with such appointment
to end at the first annual meeting after the initial appointment.
The Village Administrator shall act as the executive
assistant of the Mayor and the Board of Trustees in connection with
the conduct of the affairs of the Village, subject to and in accordance
with the rules and regulations as may be promulgated from time to
time by the Village Board of Trustees, which shall prescribe the authority,
functions, duties and responsibilities of the Village Administrator
in addition to those set forth herein.
The Village Administrator shall report to and
be under the supervision of the Mayor and the Board of Trustees.
Subject to the approval, direction and control of the Board of Trustees, or in those instances where approval, direction and control is, by applicable law, reserved to the Mayor, then under the approval, direction and control of the Mayor, and in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Board of Trustees as provided in § 3-3 of this chapter, the Village Administrator shall:
A.
With
the approval and direction of the Mayor, direct and coordinate the
activities of the Recreation Department, Police Department, and Administration
and Finance Department in accordance with the policies of the Board
of Trustees. The heads of such departments shall be responsible to
and report directly to the Village Administrator.
[Amended 6-23-2014 by L.L. No.
3-2014[1]]
B.
Attend meetings of the Board of Trustees, prepare
agendas, keep the Board of Trustees fully informed on all matters
of importance in the conduct of Village business, take part in discussions
of the Village Board of Trustees and make recommendations to the Board
of Trustees for changes in policy and legislation for its consideration.
C.
Attend meetings of the Board of Public Utilities,
prepare agendas and record minutes, advise, assist and consult with
the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) as necessary and coordinate BPU
activities with the activities of the Village Board.
D.
As directed by the Village Board, see that all inquiries
and comments by Village residents and other interested persons are
adequately taken care of and referred if necessary to the appropriate
Village officials for prompt investigation and response.
E.
Provide for appropriate Village publicity through
news items, notices and releases; and maintain contact with other
Village organizations and their activities and coordinate to the extent
necessary.
F.
Represent, or direct and supervise the representation
of, the Board of Trustees in collective bargaining negotiations with
employee representatives and to propose agreements to the Board of
Trustees for final approval; and implement and enforce personnel policies,
rules and regulations enacted by the Board of Trustees or prescribed
by law or collective bargaining agreements.
G.
Investigate complaints and inquiries by the Mayor
and Trustees concerning government operations and services and report
corrective actions taken, as well as proposals for any necessary legislative
or policy action, to the Board of Trustees; and make such other reports
as the Board of Trustees may require concerning the operations and
services of the departments of Village government.
H.
Subject to the approval and direction of the Mayor,
oversee the fulfillment of provisions of franchises, permits and privileges
granted by the Village and contracts to which it is a party and recommend
appropriate remedial action to the Board of Trustees in the event
that commitments are not fulfilled.
I.
Represent the Village, with the approval of the Mayor
and Village Board, in its relations with the federal, state and county
governments and other municipalities.
J.
Keep the Village Board informed as to federal aid
projects and state aid projects and any other aid programs for which
the Village may qualify.
K.
Subject to the approval and directions of the Mayor,
oversee the enforcement of the rules, regulations, ordinances, local
laws and codes of the Village so that they are administered efficiently
and fairly.
L.
Conduct a continuing study of all functions and activities
of the Village and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees as
to measures or programs which he believes will improve the efficiency
or economy of Village government.
M.
Supervise the activities of the Village Treasurer.
N.
See that the Board of Trustees, in cooperation and
conjunction with the Village Treasurer, is kept fully advised of the
financial condition of the Village.
O.
Prepare, in conjunction with the Treasurer and Village
Board, the annual budget.
P.
Supervise the preparation of necessary documents required
for obtaining bids on materials, equipment or capital projects, as
authorized by the Board of Trustees.
Q.
Serve as records access officer of the Village.
R.
Maintain contacts with all Village boards and commissions,
and provide any necessary coordination to ensure appropriate administration
of policies and regulations.
S.
Supervise the activities of the Village Clerk.
T.
Supervise the activities of the Village Inspection
Officer.
The Village Administrator shall keep the Mayor
and the appropriate Trustee assigned as liaison to a department currently
informed as to matters affecting the efficient functioning of the
department to which the Trustee is so assigned.
In addition to the powers and duties set forth,
the Village Administrator shall serve as budget officer if and when
he is so designated by the Mayor, in accordance with § 5-500
of the Village Law.
The position of the Village Administrator may
be filled by a person holding other positions in the Village employ,
but this position shall be held only by a full-time employee.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed or
construed as abolishing, transferring or curtailing any powers or
duties of the Board of Trustees, other Village boards or commissions
or the Mayor, Treasurer or Clerk as prescribed by the Village Law
or other applicable laws of the state.
