Hawke likes state’s advice

If voted for, mayor could get more power over finances

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — If the City Council enacts the changes listed in a recently issued state review of the city’s financial management system, Mayor Mark Hawke may potentially have an increased level of authority over all of the city’s financial offices. Mr. Hawke said he was in agreement with many of the recommendations listed in the review from the state Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services, and is looking to implement some of the changes as soon as possible. This was the first time a review of this type was conducted in the city, and was an initiative that Mr. Hawke had considered a top priority upon taking office in January. “I realized that if I came in and just said ‘we are going to do it this way because I think it is best’ it may not have been the best way of going about it,” said Mr. Hawke. “So I wanted an independent party to come in, review everything and make similar suggestions, and I think they made some very valuable points.” In order to gain a better knowledge of the inner workings of City Hall, state officials within the department met with various city officials this past summer to see where programs could be streamlined. Mr. Hawke said the review outlined several changes to the city’s infrastructure that he had already considered. “There really weren’t any surprises, it was pretty much what I expected to be in it,” said Mr. Hawke. “I thought it was a good, well-written report and it doesn’t demean anyone. It suggests that we update our processes, which we haven’t done over the course of the last couple years.” The review had 31 suggestions for the city, including giving the mayor appointment authority over all financial offices, combining the positions of treasurer and tax collector, going to a biweekly payroll and establishing a financial management team that meets on a monthly basis. “I think we do things very well here, it’s just that some of our processes are outdated,” said Mr. Hawke. “The report pointed out that we can do things differently by taking advantage of technology and let it work for us.” Mr. Hawke said he sent the review to all city councilors so they could gain a better understanding of where the state thinks changes could be made. “I sent it to the councilors so they could absorb it,” said Mr. Hawke. “Some of these changes will require council approval, some will require charter changes and others we are going to start implementing.” The review and the suggested changes will be discussed at a Finance Committee meeting today. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 10/2/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 233)