UP CLOSE & PERSONAL In the Field

Welcome to Up Close and Personal – In the Field, a regular column in New Hampshire Town and City dedicated to giving readers a closer look at staff from New Hampshire municipalities and other political subdivisions. In this issue, we hope you enjoy meeting Alicia Jipson,Town Adminstrator in Belmont.

TC: What are your duties and responsibilities as Town Administrator.

AJ: The Town Administrator serves as the chief administrative officer of the Town and is directly responsible to the Select Board. I supervise and direct the administration of all town departments and carry out the policies enacted by the Select Board. I oversee personnel and expenditures, maintenance and preservation of Town infrastructure. I am responsible for the efficient management and operation of all affairs of the Town.

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

AJ: The biggest challenge in performing my duties is keeping the masses correctly informed of the truth. In today’s world with social media and misinformation constantly being put out there, it’s easily a full time job monitoring and responding to comments on social media to get the right information out there.

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

AJ: NHMA has helped me by providing necessary trainings, education and conferences. The listserv is a huge help, and of course the legal assistance is great. I learn a lot when I attend conferences and I bring that knowledge back to the office and apply it to the job. I attend as many educational sessions as possible. I believe there is no such thing as being over trained. I feel it is my job to be as well versed in as many aspects of Town business as I possibly can.

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

AJ: I find that a lot of people do not really know what it is that I do and what my role is. People don’t understand the support that this position gives not only to the BOS but to department heads and the general public. At times I feel like the public “welcome center” and am expected to know all the answers to any and all questions regardless.

TC: Has your public position changed you personally?

AJ: I’d say my skin is thicker and my shoulders broader. I’ve learned you can’t take anything too personal and at the end of the day the residents aren’t mad at you personally, they are mad at the system.

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

AJ: I’ve learned that at the end of the day residents just want to be heard. Give them the time to vent, and be heard, and the path to a resolution becomes easier. We are all in the same boat, so a little empathy and understanding goes a long way.

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

AJ: I’d tell them to absorb as much information as they can. If they know that the Town Administrator position is truly the next step for them, then I’d say attend every meeting, be in on every conversation, listen carefully at meetings, ask questions, offer a helping hand, and take on extra work. You can’t be prepared enough for this role. Use the resources we have available to us.

Elizabeth Fox, Asst. City Manager/HR Director, Keene, Chair