About Staff

Under the Local Governance Act of New Brunswick, every municipality must hire and appoint two local government officers: a Clerk and a Treasurer. The Chief Administrative Officer is not an official officer of the municipality, unless they are also appointed to serve as Clerk and/or Treasurer. Every municipality must also appoint an auditor to audit the municipality’s annual operating budgets and other finances. Optionally, the municipality may appoint a solicitor (or lawyer), an engineer, a building inspector, an assistant clerk, and an assistant treasurer.

The Chief Administration Officer (CAO) is a senior officer of the Municipality who has the primary responsibility for administration and the powers and duties that the Council prescribes by by-law or resolution.

These duties and powers typically include the following:

• Day-to-day management of operations (within budget)
• Setting long- and short-term goals with Council
• Managing, directing, and supporting municipal staff & contractors
• Preparing reports and recommendations to Council to support their decisions
• Maintaining contact with other levels of Government
• Assisting council with strategic planning
• Assisting with agenda development & review
• Ensuring that Council decisions are carried out

The Clerk is a key member of the municipal staff. Council cannot meet or make any decision without the Clerk present. Under the Local Governance Act of New Brunswick, the Clerk has the following responsibilities:

• Attends all meetings of Council
• Ensures that processes and procedures in municipal by-laws and policies are followed
• Records in a book or electronically who is present, the resolutions, decisions, and proceedings of Council (without note or comment)
• Keeps the documents and records of Council (including originals of all by-laws and resolutions)
• Maintains an indexed register of certified copies of all by-laws for public inspection
• Serves as custodian of the Corporate Seal
• Signs, along with the mayor, all legislation, agreements, contracts, deeds, and other documents to which the Local Government is a party
• Notifies all Council members of all meetings
• If the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are absent or the Office of the Mayor is vacant, calls a meeting of Council to select a Councillor to act as the presiding officer of Council
• If required by any member of the Council present, records the name and vote of every member voting on a question
• Other such other duties as the Council assigns

Under the Local Governance Act of New Brunswick, the Treasurer has the following responsibilities:

• Custodian of local government funds (collects and receives all money of the local government)
• Custodian of all local government financial statements
• Manages all bank accounts
• Prepares periodic and detailed statements/reports on municipal finances
• Provides advice on finances and accounting practises
• Keeps Council apprised of all matters relating to the fiscal health of the local government
• Handles insurance

Yes. Both Fire Departments are departments of the municipality, the same on the organization chart as the Public Works Department and Recreation Department. All the operating costs and capital purchases of both departments are paid for by the municipality, and the Fire Chiefs who lead each Department report to the CAO. Both chiefs and every member of both departments receive honorariums from the municipality for their service and are considered employees under Worksafe NB.

Under the Local Governance Act of New Brunswick, the Auditor must be a chartered accountant or a certified general accountant. In addition, the Auditor must complete the annual audit of municipal finances by the first day of March and then transmit a certified copy of the audited financial statements to the Minister of Local Government within 10 days. If Council fails to appoint an auditor, the Minister may appoint an auditor, and the Council shall pay the fees and expenses of the appointed auditor.