RCL Citizen’s Handbook 2023

The Rye Citizens’ Handbook has been created by the Rye Civic League (“RCL”) to provide a consolidated resource to assist citizens in interacting with the various employees, board and commission members of the Town. It contains a description of all of the positions and groups, together with the contact information for each. It provides a road map to assist citizens in interacting with each function. The document is fluid. The intention of the RCL is to revise the Handbook at least annually in response to changes in staff, board and committee memberships, and the laws.

 

Although Rye is a small town, we pay over $22 million annually for public services, including schools, water, and municipal services. The Town’s annual report enumerates 24 different roles, committees, boards and commissions, occupied by 89 individuals, not including alternates. During 2011, the Town, excluding the schools, paid 137 people for services. The total Includes many part-time employees, including lifeguards and the selectmen.

Comprehending the roles and responsibilities of the various parts of our local government is not straightforward, nor is understanding how and when to engage them. The Rye Citizens’ Handbook is designed to be an efficient tool to assist the citizens of Rye in better understanding the operation of our local government. Our government belongs to us, and we are responsible for the way in which it operates.

 

The RCL, primarily Mae Bradshaw, researched and worked with town officials to create the content. The RCL expresses its great appreciation to Mae Bradshaw, as well as selectman Priscilla Jenness, who reviewed the handbook.