[Added 10-20-2005 by Order No. 2006-028]
This article describes all Town Council administrative
policies established for the purpose of guiding the development and
implementation of administrative procedures by the Town Manager within
the Town. The administrative policies and, hence, the administrative
procedures shall describe all legislative, administrative, and adjudicatory
procedures of the Town. It shall establish policies and procedures
by which municipal legislation is developed, introduced, and approved
before the Town Council and by which rules and regulations are adopted
by Town administrative agencies. It specifies the manner in which
all the entities of the Town function administratively, through the
promulgation of policies and procedures. It delineates the method
and manner in which adjudicatory proceedings are to be conducted by
the various Town agencies and officials who have the responsibility
of deciding individual cases.
[Added 10-20-2005 by Order No. 2006-028]
A. It is the policy of the Town of Barnstable that effective
communication, whether written, oral, or graphic, be exhibited on
all occasions in order to convey all relevant goals, policies, procedures,
and facts related to all issues.
B. Effective management is based on effective communication.
The nature of communicating is ever changing as more people are involved
and depend on information; information is more complex, subtle, and
subliminal; and communication depends far more on high technology.
In light of these realities, the Town's communication practices shall
be based on the following goals: clarity, succinctness, and timeliness.
It is the policy of the Town of Barnstable that,
giving due regard to the financial limitations of the Town, prudent
managerial oversight should limit risks and exposures. Local governments
are subject to four basic types of risks: real and personal property
loss; loss of income or increased costs associated with property loss;
personnel loss; and liability. In response to these potential losses,
the Town of Barnstable shall always consider and pursue the best action
or combination of actions to control risk: risk avoidance; risk prevention;
risk assumption; and risk transfer. The purpose of this policy is
to provide a functional tool for insurance management. In pursuing
this policy, the Town shall abide by the following goals:
A. The Town should not insure itself against minor recurrent
losses;
B. Self insurance should be used where risks are recurrent
and financially manageable; and
C. Insurance be sought for potential major losses.
It is the policy of the Town of Barnstable that,
giving due regard to the safety and risk of investment, all available
funds shall be invested in conformance with legal and administrative
guidelines and maximize yields with the minimal risk and utilization
of collateralization when requested. Effective cash management is
recognized as essential to good fiscal management. An aggressive cash
management and investment policy will be pursued to take advantage
of investment interest as a viable revenue source. The Town's portfolio
shall be designed and managed in a manner responsive to the public
trust and consistent with state and local law. Investments shall be
made with the primary objectives of:
B. Maintenance of sufficient liquidity to meet operating
needs;
C. Security of Town funds and investments;
D. Diversification of investments to avoid unreasonable
or avoidable risks; and
E. Maximization of return on the portfolio.
It is the policy of the Town of Barnstable to
procure goods and services that help the organization deliver quality,
competitively priced services in a manner as environmentally benign
as practicable to the citizens and visitors of Barnstable. The Town's
procurement policies are intended to minimize risks and realize efficiencies
by way of superior management consistent with the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Chapter 30B of the General Laws: Uniform Procurement
Act; Chapter 30, § 39M; and Chapter 149, §§ 44A
through M. The Town of Barnstable's management of procurement will
be conducted with the primary objectives of purchasing competitively
priced, quality goods and/or services in quantities necessary to accomplish
service delivery objectives. The Town of Barnstable recognizes that
the use of taxpayer funds deserves the greatest care in procuring
goods and services which are as environmentally benign as practicable
and which enable the Town to attain its objectives in a cost-effective
manner.
The Town of Barnstable recognizes that volunteers
are an integral part of the Town's government. Their participation
in the process of government contributes to the uniqueness of the
Town's quality of life. Volunteers choose to act in recognition of
social responsibility and without concern for monetary gain, going
beyond what is necessary to one's physical well-being. A citizen may
choose to be a policy-making volunteer or a service volunteer. The
Town of Barnstable is committed to providing adequate support, training,
leadership, and recognition for all its volunteers. It expects commitment
and excellence from the volunteers. The Town has the right to determine
duties, authorities and appropriateness of volunteers. Following established
volunteer management protocol, the Town has the right to both select
and remove volunteers.