Board - Trustee Best Management Practices

Class Description:

This class will focus on capacity of utility boards to operate successfully and understand the necessary oversight they provide for their utilities. The first part of the class will cover high level topics from FOAA compliance to customer service, and more granular issues such as understanding accounts payable and the day-to-day operations of successful utilities. It will be an interaction presentation with attendees encouraged to ask questions about broad topics and specifics to their utilities.

The second part of the class will serve as a workshop for utilities to create a plan to implement what they learned in the first part of the class. Their plans will include concrete steps that individuals will take to ensure the proper operation and supervision of utilities and treatment works.

Class Objectives:

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of utility governing bodies, including but not limited to the oversight of finances and physical spaces
• Learn critical day-to-day tasks to increase ability to function as a stand-in
• Creating a plan to increase supervisory capacity

Class Fee: FREE (Sponsored by USEPA)

State Agency Approval:
Maine BLWSO: 2.0 TCHs for Water Operators
Maine DEP: 2.0 TCHs for Wastewater Operators

Speakers:

Kirsten Hebert - Director, MRWA

Kirsten is the Executive Director of Maine Rural Water. She is a registered professional lobbyist and enjoys shaping environmental policy issues. Kirsten spends many hours assisting Boards of Trustees understand their roles and responsibilities, answering Freedom of Access questions, as well as, personnel inquiries. When not at work, you can find Kirsten with her fly rod, and hopefully, a brook trout.

Brad Sawyer - Deputy Director, MRWA

Bradley is the Deputy Director and focuses on lobbying, communications, board training, and special projects, but can be found helping with any number of tasks throughout the day. He holds a BS from the University of Oregon in political science and has worked in the political sphere for roughly a decade. As the Assistant Secretary of the Senate in the 128th Legislature and the Business Manager for the Maine Bicentennial Commission Brad has effectively worked with members of both parties to accomplish their goals and improve the lives of Mainers.