The Borough of Bath operates with four main “Departments”- Administration, Codes, Elected Officials, and Public Works.

MEET THE STAFF!

Administration

The Administration of the Borough includes the Borough Manager, Office Secretary and Office Clerk. Borough Administration is responsible for the day-to-day business of our local government including coordinating with other departments and overseeing projects. An example of the coordination between the departments looks like the permit application process or a follow-up call about potholes. The Administration is tasked with implementing laws passed (or ordained, hence the term Ordinance) by the Borough Council and ensuring they are upheld. Occasionally this means creating new procedures for an ever changing workflow based on the actions of the officials and needs of the residents.

The borough operates under a strong Council-Manager form of government. Council has the power, whereas the manager has the authority to carry out the goals and objectives of Council. Read this article from the International City/County Management Association for more information on how authority versus power works in local government operations. There are often many misconceptions on what a town manager does, is responsible for, or how he/she fits into the overall governmental system.

Also, check out this brochure for more information on the Council-Manager form of government.

Codes

The Parking Enforcement and Codes Department (or, simply Codes) has the tedious task of enforcing the laws. In order to create and maintain a quality place for all residents and business owners, the Codes Dept. will handle instances of illegal parking, reviewing zoning applications, issuing violation notices and overall working with everyone to have compliance with local laws. This Department is integral in identifying potential inconsistencies or items that need updating within the laws. When situations like this arise, there is communication of the concern with the Administration. The Administration then can bring the concerns to Council and the their boards/committees for review and discussion on solutions. From there the Code Dept. review is important to amending laws.

Elected Officials

The Borough of Bath functions with a Mayor-Council-Manager form of government. Mayor and 7 Council persons make up the ‘elected body’ which is the legislative portion of the Borough’s local government. The Council makes two types of formal actions – Resolutions, which are more policies or stating the Borough’s collective stance on something, and Ordinances, which are enacted local laws. Mayor has the authority to veto an action of Council, break tie votes, and make proclamations. These are simple examples of the duties of each.

Council uses the work and assistance of its committees to expedite review and fact-finding for policy changes or amendments to law. The assistance of the Borough Solicitor is integral in ensuring laws that are passed by Council are sound and do not contradict state or other local laws. The coordination with Council, their subcommittees, and other departments is what helps to bring about large ordinances such as the recent road plan and rental inspection.

Public Works

The Borough Public Works Department has gone through many changes over the past few years. Much of this time, the crew operated with two full-time personnel with assistance from a number of part-time seasonal members. Today, the Borough employs a four full-time member staff in the department. The duties of the Borough PW crew encompass a little of everything from maintaining signage to filling potholes, street sweeping and MS4 tasks to snow plowing. The duties change with the seasons, but the crew handles just about everything. The Public Works Department is key in having the capital improvement plans of Council come to fruition as much work is completed in-house to save on costs.