The Council shall appoint for an indefinite term a Town Manager, hereinafter referred to as "the Manager," who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Town and shall be chosen exclusively on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications, character, education, training and experience. The Manager shall serve at the pleasure of the Council, who may enter into an employment agreement with said Manager. At the time of appointment, the Manager need not be a resident of the Town. The compensation, residency and terms of employment of the Manager shall be fixed by the Council and shall not be changed except at the beginning of a fiscal year by a vote of the Council taken at least one month prior to that date.
The Manager may only be removed by five affirmative votes of the Council. At least 30 days before the proposed removal of the Manager, the Council shall adopt a resolution stating its intention to remove and reasons therefor. A copy shall be served on the Manager, who may, within 10 days, demand a public hearing, in which event, the Manager shall not be removed until such public hearing has been held. Said public hearing shall be held within 10 days of the proposed removal date. Upon passage of such a resolution, the Council shall suspend the Manager from duty, provided the salary of said Manager shall continue until his removal from office. In the event of such removal, the Manager shall be given termination pay equivalent to one month's salary. Upon suspension, removal or resignation of the Manager, the Council may appoint a Temporary Manager to serve at the pleasure of the Council. The Temporary Manager may make appointments as are conferred upon the Manager in Chapter VII, § C7-1, of this Charter. The action of the Council in removing the Manager shall be final.
The Manager shall be directly responsible to the Council for the administration of all departments, agencies, offices and persons or boards appointed by the Manager and shall supervise and direct same. The Manager shall see that all laws and ordinances, governing the Town are faithfully executed; shall assure the existence of and keep current a Council-approved Town of Tolland Personnel Policies Manual. All updates to the Personnel Policies Manual shall be reviewed by the Council; the Manager shall make periodic reports to the Council and shall attend its meetings with full right of participation in its discussions but without the right to vote; shall prepare and cause to be printed, as soon as possible, an annual report; shall recommend to the Council such measures as the Manager may deem expedient or necessary; shall keep the Council fully advised as to the financial condition of the Town; shall prepare and submit to the Council an annual budget; and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be required of the Manager by ordinance or by resolution of the Council and not inconsistent with this Charter.
The Manager shall designate, by letter maintained on file with the Town Clerk and subject to the approval of Council, a Town employee or officer, who shall act as Acting Manager, except in the matter of appointment or removals, during the Manager's temporary absence or inability to serve. Any appointments or removals during the Manager's temporary absence or inability to serve shall be done by the Council.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of Manager, from whatever cause arising, the Council shall have power to designate a person, other than a member of the Council, to act as Temporary Manager, pending the filling of such vacancy.