Sabattus reviewers move to give town manager explicit authority to negotiate and sign contracts, including labor deals

A charter review session for the town of Sabattus advanced language to make the town manager the town's purchasing and contracting agent and to give that office explicit authority to negotiate and enter contracts, including labor and union agreements.

Members said the current draft of Article 3.2(f) already names the manager as purchasing agent but lacks clear authorization to complete negotiations and sign contracts on the town's behalf. A select board member proposed adding explicit text that the manager "has the authority to negotiate and enter into contracts which he or she deems in the best interest of the town." The group discussed whether to insert labor- or union-specific language in Article 3 or move it to Article 5 (personnel). Participants agreed the manager should be authorized to handle labor negotiations but that the detailed authority belongs in Article 5 under a new subsection (5.2.4) titled "labor union contracts."

Supporters said the change would reduce procedural delays and lower the risk that the town loses opportunities while awaiting board meetings. Several attendees also noted the proposed wording should avoid ambiguity about when the manager may sign contracts and how board oversight and conflict-of-interest concerns are handled.

The board asked staff to draft the exact redline language, circulate it to the commission and legal counsel, and confirm that the change does not conflict with state law or other charter provisions. There was no formal vote recorded in the meeting transcript; the discussion ended with direction to place the negotiated language in Article 5.2.4 and to refer final text to the town attorney for review.