The Council shall choose a Manager solely on the basis of his/her
executive and administrative qualifications, with special reference
to his/her actual experience in, or his/her knowledge of, accepted
practice with respect to the duties of his/her office as hereinafter
set forth. At the time of his/her appointment, the Manager need not
be a resident of the Town or state, but, during his/her tenure of
office, he/she may reside outside of the Town only with the approval
of the Council. The Manager shall hold office for an indefinite term
and may be removed by a majority vote of the Council pursuant to the
Charter.
The Manager may appoint a Deputy Manager of the Town to perform
his/her duties during his/her temporary absence or disability. In
the event of his/her failure to make such a designation, the Council
may, by resolution, appoint an officer of the Town to perform the
duties of the Manager during such absence or disability until he/she
shall return or his/her disability shall cease.
The Manager shall be the chief executive and administrative
officer of the Town. He/she shall see that all ordinances, resolutions
and policies of the Council, and all state laws subject to enforcement
by municipal action, are faithfully enforced and executed. He/she
shall:
A.
Represent the Town and assert its proper interests in relation to
the state and other political subdivisions and with respect to municipal
contracts and franchises.
B.
Attend all meetings of the Council, with the right to take part in
the discussions but without the right to vote.
C.
Keep the Council advised of the financial condition of the Town,
make reports to the Council as requested by it, and at least once
a year make an annual report on the administration of the municipal
government for the benefit of the Council and the public.
D.
Study the governmental and administrative operations and needs of
the government and prepare and recommend to the Council necessary
and desirable plans and programs to meet present and foreseeable needs.
E.
Investigate at any time the affairs of any officer or department
of the Town.
F.
Perform such other duties as may be required of the Manager by ordinance
or resolution of the Council.
The Manager shall:
A.
Appoint and remove all department heads and all other officers, subordinates
and assistants other than the Clerk, Attorney, Class I and Class III
members of the Planning Board, the Municipal Judge, the members of
the Housing Authority, the Parking Authority, and members of advisory
boards established by this code. The Manager may delegate to the head
of a department the power to appoint and remove subordinates in such
department. Pursuant to the Charter, any provision of general law
conferring the appointing power or other power upon the Mayor or other
executive head of the Town shall be construed as meaning the Manager,
except that members of the Free Public Library shall be appointed
by the Mayor. Except where otherwise expressly required by the Charter
or general law, department heads and subordinate officers and employees
subject to appointment by the Manager shall be appointed for an indefinite
term, subject to suspension or removal by the Manager. In lieu of
appointment, the Manager may serve as the head of any department or
division.
B.
Direct and supervise the administration of all departments of the
Town government and be responsible for the maintenance of sound personnel
policies and administrative practices.
C.
Examine all bills or claims submitted for payment in order to ascertain if proper administrative procedures have been followed as set forth in § 3-38 of this chapter.
D.
Maintain a continuing review and analysis of budget operations, work
programs and costs of Town services.
E.
Establish working, personnel, vacation and sick leave schedules and
appropriate records and reports.
F.
Approve or prescribe the internal organization of each department.
G.
Assign and transfer administrative functions, powers and duties among
and within departments, subject to the Charter and this chapter.
H.
Delegate to department heads such of his/her powers as he/she may
deem necessary for efficient administration.
I.
Serve as head of the Department of Administration and exercise his/her
powers as Manager through such Department to the extent he/she deems
practicable and desirable.
[Amended 8-28-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-15]
There may be a Deputy Manager of the Town appointed by the Manager.
If appointed, the Deputy Manager shall:
A.
Assist the Manager in the performance of his/her duties.
B.
Whenever the office of the Manager shall be vacant or unfilled, or
the Manager shall be temporarily absent or unable to serve by reason
temporary disability or otherwise, the Deputy Manager shall have the
power to perform the duties of the Manager.
