NORTH ATTLEBORO - Giving the town administrator more authority over department heads, uniting several departments under the umbrella of a department of planning and community development, and reducing the size of the town's legislature are all on the table as possible government reform ideas.

Sound familiar? It should, since the issues were among those included in the 2003 charter commission's proposal to overhaul the way North Attleboro's government works.

Voters soundly rejected that charter, but selectmen are considering adopting some of the proposals in a more piecemeal fashion. Selectmen said similar efforts were made in the past - working with the failed 1972 and 1995 charter proposals - that resulted in the creation of a human resources department and the town administrator's post.

The board met with members of the 2003 charter commission last week to discuss some of the highlights of the most recent charter proposal.

The recurring theme was the need for someone to be in charge. "You need someone standing over the logjam who can break it up," said Sherry Rhyno, who served as chairwoman of the charter commission.

"The majority of the commission wanted a town manager - a professional to oversee all department heads but the school superintendent so accountability and efficiency would increase."

If all department heads were placed under the town administrator, elected boards would no longer conduct evaluations of those employees. The boards would, however, continue to set policies and perform other functions.

Another hot topic was the creation of a department of planning and community development that would unite a number of departments, including zoning, planning, conservation and the building inspector's office.

Former charter commission member Bart Steele said having a unified department of planning and community development would mean that the town could save money by hiring a town engineer to look over development proposals.

Reducing the size of the Representative Town Meeting also was discussed.

While the town is in the middle of reducing the size of RTM from 18 members per precinct to 15, Selectwoman Marjorie Kraskouskas pointed out that the phased-in reduction will finish just in time for the town to add a tenth voting precinct and 15 new members.

With almost three-quarters of RTM seats listed on April's ballot currently without candidates, selectmen said a more drastic cut should be considered.

However, it has been difficult to convince RTM, which must approve the cut, to go along with it.

"I think 81 or 90 members would be a good quantity," Selectman Paul Belham said. "Everyone says they want more participation from the people, but the people don't want to participate." Selectmen said they will continue discussing possible government reforms, and will put together in coming weeks a proposal that could be made through administrative or bylaw changes.

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.