Up Close and Personal on

UP CLOSE &

PERSONAL On the Board

Welcome to Up Close and Personal is designed to give readers a closer look at NHMA board members. In this issue, we hope you enjoy meeting one of our newest board members, William L. Duschatko, Councilor in the Town of Bedford. Bill was elected this November to serve on NHMA’s board of directors.

William L. Dushatko

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TC: What are your duties and responsibilities as Town Councilor?

WD: Under the Town Council form of government, a Councilor’s role is acting as part of the legislative body under the rules set down by the Town Charter. The most meaningful difference is that Councilor’s do not become involved with any operational tasks and have other than choosing a Town Manager, have no direct hire/fire responsibility over Department Heads or employees. Our most important role is approving an annual budget for presentation to the Town body and monitoring the status of expenditures over the year.

TC: What is your biggest challenge in performing your duties?

WD: If is difficult at times to be removed from the operational aspects of management. This is especially true when one becomes aware that certain short-term changes or approaches could be beneficial to the long term effectiveness of the organization. Where one may wish to be a change agent, the reality of the situation is that one can only suggest and not act.

TC: How has NHMA helped you to do your job?

WD: The publications and seminars have proven to be excellent sources of information that can be quickly accessed and assimilated.

TC: What is the public perception about your job and how does it differ from the reality of your job?

WD: The public perception is that we have complete executive power and can be called upon to solve personal problems that out residents may have in dealing with various departments. Frankly, the public has a limited knowledge of local government structure and if they have spent a large part of their life outside of New England, do not understand the background and concepts of Town based governance.

TC: Has your public position changed you personally?

WD: I like to think that I have become more tolerant in understanding the difficulties faced by well meaning municipal employees in accomplishing their tasks. Ironically, I have become more critical in perceived short comings in State and Federal government particularly as it concerns openness and a willingness to serve their members.

TC: Has your job changed the way you look at the role of government?

WD: I have been more convinced that strong local governments, free to plot the course of their own paths and manage their own resources has become more important.

TC: What lessons about human nature have you learned in your municipal role?

WD: Just a reminder that it is impossible to satisfy all people on any issue.

TC: What advice would you give someone who would like to follow in your footsteps into this job?

WD: Be prepared to grow a very thick skin, and to spend at least three times the time you originally thought you would be able to devote to the job.