WATERBORO — In 2012, voters approved a new charter for the town that meant a change in how it is governed.

The town administrator position was assigned the responsibilities of a town manager, but kept the administrator title.

Now selectmen say it’s time to change the title to match what the job description really is: a town manager. They’ll discuss the issue tonight at their 6 p.m. regular meeting. The change would require a referendum vote.

“When the charter committee made changes to the position, they opted not to change the title,” said Selectmen Chairwoman TammyJo Girard.

At the time, it was thought the title change might not go over well in this largely rural community.

Town administrator “was what people were used to,” said Selectman Dennis Abbott. “But from the get-go, it was clear the position had changed to that of a town manager.”

Abbott said the current title has some drawbacks, because it is not reflective of the scope of the responsibility.

Now, the town administrator serves as the administrative head of the town and is responsible for daily operations, including hiring and oversight of town personnel. Selectmen continue to serve as the town’s executive body and are responsible for establishment of town policy.

Gary Lamb took up his duties as town administrator last summer.

“He has the responsibility of a town manager,” Abbott said.

As an example, he cited the budget process for the upcoming year. For the first time, the budget to be voted at Town Meeting this year will be crafted in full by the administrator, instead of selectmen, who will make recommendations to the Town Meeting body on its contents.

Lamb, for his part, says he believes the change is a good idea. Having a town administrator is a different form of government than a town manager, and the title is confusing to those in other communities, he said.

In a written opinion, town attorney Ken Cole said the change would not be substantive enough to require a new charter review and commission, because the administrator position already carries the duties of town manager. The title change would require a charter amendment by referendum, however. Cole suggested a November referendum, given the requirement that the voter turnout must be at least 30 percent of the last gubernatorial election.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.