Politics & Government

Town Manager Proposes Local Government Reorganization

The potential changes would lead to shifts organizational and classification changes.

While talk in Washington has been of government shutdown, in Reading the topic up for discussion recently has been government reorganization.

During a recent Board of Selectmen meeting, members heard from Town Manager Bob LeLacheur about his proposal that, if approved, would lead to a restructuring of the town’s Table of Organization and would also lead to a classification change for several positions.

“The organizational changes that I am suggesting below are generally minor in nature in the context of an $80 million annual general fund budget,” LeLacheur wrote to selectmen in his proposal. “However they are important when looking into the future, to ensure that service levels remain high under the fiscal constraints of Proposition 2 ½.”

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One organizational change is the proposed combination of the Treasury, Collections, and Assessing portions of the Finance Department with the Accounting Department. In addition, the proposal would move portions of the Finance Department as well the Department of Public Works and Police Business Administrators would be moved to the Town Manager’s department.

A list of positions will see an increase in classification grade, including the Library Director, Assistant Town Manager, and several clerical positions.

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Several positions would also be added if voters at the Annual Town Meeting approve the plan. A Business Analyst, Zoning Enforcement Inspector, Regional Housing Services Coordinator, Assistant DPW Director, Deputy Police Chief and an Executive Officer.

Several positions would also be deleted or rearranged, which minimizes financial impact of these proposed changes.

During last week’s Board of Selectmen meeting, a large contingent of library employees was present to voice their concerns. The employees were concerned that upgrading several positions and adding new ones, the proposal downgrades their positions relative to their peers.


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