City of Franklin, NH Municipal Departments

The City Manager shall be the administrative head of the City and shall perform all the duties and have all the responsibilities prescribed by the City Charter and by the City Council by ordinance or resolution.

The City Manager shall supervise all department heads and administrative divisions as established by this code and shall have the power to suspend and discipline and perform or delegate the duties and responsibilities of such department heads.

The Manager may prescribe such rules and regulations not inconsistent with the City Charter and City ordinances as he or she may deem necessary for the conduct of the various departments, and he or she may investigate and inquire into the affairs of any department at any time.

The City Manager shall serve as the personnel administrator and maintain the personnel files of the City employees.

Business Operations Division.

The Finance Administrator shall be the head of the Business Operations Division, which shall be comprised of the Finance Office, the City Clerk/Tax Collector Office, the Treasury Office and the Assessing Office.

The Business Operations Division shall establish and enforce policies, procedures and controls to coordinate the work of the various offices of the division to ensure the most accurate, efficient and accountable operation and recording of revenue collections and expenditures of appropriated funds. Said offices shall consist of the following:

(a)

Finance Office. The Finance Office shall be headed by a Finance Administrator, appointed as specified by the City Charter, who shall perform the following duties. The Finance Administrator shall:

Pre-audit all receipts and process all authorized claims against the City before authorizing payment thereof.

Post-audit all receipts and disbursements.

Maintain the general financial accounts of the City and exercise accounting control over the City Manager and City Council.

Prepare financial reports as required by the Manager and City Council.

Negotiate, upon the authorization of the City Manager and City Council, all loans of whatever term.

[6]

Maintain custody of all insurance policies of the City.

[7]

Supervise and control the operation of all financial data processing functions and their records.

[8]

Maintain all City employee earnings records, including records of all deductions from earnings for retirement, social security, health insurance, United States Savings Bonds and any other purpose, and maintain all City employee personnel medical records and sick leave records.

[9]

Perform all clerical and secretarial functions.

[10]

Perform all other related functions as required.

(b)

Assessing Office. The Assessing Office shall consist of an Assessor, appointed as provided for in the City Charter, and such professional and clerical staff as may be recommended by the Assessor and approved by the City Manager and the City Council. The Assessor shall perform the following functions. The Assessor shall:

Carry out all the duties relative to taking the inventory and the appraisal of property for taxation and in regard to the assessment and abatement of taxes and issuing warrants for the collection of taxes as are now or may hereafter be required by law of assessors of cities.

Prepare all assessment and tax rolls and tax notices as required by law.

Check all property transfers and maintain all property records.

Prepare and maintain all assessment record cards, filing systems and all other records of the office.

Make regular and frequent checks of the City to assure that all taxable property is being accurately reported.

[6]

Perform all other related functions as required.

(c)

City Clerk/Tax Collector Office. The City Clerk/Tax Collector Office shall be headed by the City Clerk, appointed as specified by the City Charter, and such clerical staff as may be recommended by the City Clerk and approved by the City Manager and the City Council and shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Serve as Clerk of the City Council and prepare, maintain, publish and index all proceedings of the City Council as required. The City Clerk shall ensure that a qualified secretary or clerk is present at every meeting, workshop or other posted official gathering of the City Council to make written notes and audio recordings and prepare minutes of the proceedings as required by law.

Arrange for all elections and maintain all election records and have custody of all property used in connection therewith.

Obtain and maintain all statistics on births, marriages and deaths as required by law.

Notify the City Manager, at least 30 days prior thereto, of the expiration of terms of all members of boards or commissions.

File and preserve, as required, all contracts, bonds, oaths of office and other documents.

[6]

Issue all licenses and permits and collect all fees as required by statute and ordinance, unless otherwise provided, and deposit these collections through the Treasurer.

[7]

Be custodian of the Official City Seal.

[8]

Keep the ordinances of the City up-to-date and maintain a record of all corrections and amendments.

[9]

Perform all duties and exercise all powers incumbent upon or vested in City clerks by the laws of the State of New Hampshire.

[10]

Schedule the use of rooms, Council chambers and auditorium as required, notifying the custodian and City Manager of such scheduling.

[11]

Mail out all tax notices.

[12]

Collect all tax accounts due the City.

[13]

Maintain proper records pertaining to the collection functions.

[14]

Turn over daily to the Treasurer, record and account for all moneys on the date received and provide identical reports to the Finance Administrator.

[15]

Conduct all tax sales of property in accordance with the laws of the State of New Hampshire.

[16]

Perform all other related functions as required.

(d)

Treasury Office. The Treasury Office shall consist of a Treasurer appointed as specified by § C-27 of the City Charter and bonded as required by § C-40 thereof. The Treasury Office shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Maintain custody of all City funds, including the recording of the deposit and withdrawal thereof, as required by ordinance and general law.

Carry out the duties as specified by the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto, relative to City bonds, notes and records thereof.

Sign all checks, drafts, notes and bonds for the City.

Record the deposit of all moneys daily in the depositories designated by the City Council and provide accurate records of the same to the Finance Administrator.

Perform all other related functions as required.

City Solicitor Division. The City Solicitor Division shall consist of the City Attorney appointed as specified by the City Charter. The City Solicitor Division shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Represent the City in all matters in which the City has an interest coming before any court, tribunal, quasi-judicial or legislative body, except in such cases as other arrangements may be specifically made by the City Manager and/or City Council.

Advise the City Manager, Mayor, City Council and department heads in all cases when a legal opinion is required or requested, in writing insofar as practicable.

Draft all deeds, leases, contracts, ordinances and such other legal instruments tendered by the City.

Examine and approve all deeds, leases and other legal instruments tendered to the City prior to their acceptance.

Assist and advise in the drafting of all complaints and warrants when requested by the Chief of Police.

Provide advice and assistance to the Prosecution Division of the Police Department in the field of criminal prosecution.

Provide advice and assistance to the Fire Department in the prosecution of Fire and Life Safety Code violations.

(8)

Perform all other related functions as required.

Planning and Zoning Division. The Planning and Zoning Division shall consist of a Planning and Zoning Administrator, appointed under the City Charter, and such other professional and clerical staff as may be recommended by the Planning and Zoning Administrator and approved by the City Manager and the City Council. The Planning and Zoning Division shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Act in the capacity of advisor to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Investigate, study, report and recommend on all matters relating to land use, zoning, traffic, parking, highways, public facilities, population, urban renewal, subdivisions, parks, playgrounds and other related phases of City planning.

Enforce all rules and regulations relating to zoning or regulations as may be established by the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Issue building permits in compliance with local laws, zoning regulations and building codes.

Prepare notices of appeals and advise the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the reason that the permit was denied.

Prepare and maintain records of all permits issued monthly.

Revise the Zoning Map as changes are made therein by City ordinance.

(8)

Perform all research work which might be assigned by the City Manager, City Council, Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

(9)

Develop and implement the various elements of the general Comprehensive Plan being used as a guide for the development of the City.

(10)

Investigate, study and report on all matters relating to the construction of municipal structures.

(11)

Supervise the Mapping Specialist and ensure the preparation and maintenance of all tax maps.

(12)

Perform all other related functions as required.

Welfare Division. The Welfare Division shall consist of a Welfare Director, appointed as specified by the City Charter, and such other clerical staff as may be recommended by the Director and approved by the City Manager and the City Council. The Welfare Division shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Plan, budget, report on and control the City's welfare program.

Investigate all requests for relief and, in compliance with guidelines established by the City Council and with applicable state laws, authorize such relief aid as may be deemed necessary.

Exercise all powers and perform all duties conferred or imposed by law on welfare directors.

Keep full and accurate records of persons fully supported, the persons relieved and partially supported and the travelers and vagrants lodged at the expense of the City, together with the amount paid to them for such support and relief, and make such reports to the State Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Welfare, as required by law.

Perform all other related functions as required.

§ 4-8 Fire Department.

The Fire Department, under the supervision of a Fire Chief, appointed as specified by the City Charter, who shall have all the powers conferred upon fire wardens by the laws of the State of New Hampshire, shall consist of such forces of full-time officers and fire fighters and call officers and fire fighters as may be recommended by the Fire Chief and approved by the City Manager and the City Council.

The Fire Department shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Care for and maintain all property and equipment assigned to the Fire Department.

Prepare and maintain all Fire Department records as required.

Issue fire permits as required.

Plan and carry out a training program of instruction for all regular and call fire fighters.

Cooperate with surrounding communities through mutual aid programs so that additional fire-fighting facilities may be made available when needed.

Divisions.

Fire Suppression Division. The Fire Suppression Division shall extinguish fires and protect life and property against fires and perform related functions as required.

Rescue/Emergency Medical Service Division. The Rescue/Emergency Medical Service Division shall provide rescue, ambulance and first responder medical services and related functions as required.

Fire Alarm Division. The Fire Alarm Division shall care for and maintain the signal alarm system and related functions as required.

Fire Prevention and Inspection Division. The Fire Prevention and Inspection Division shall perform the following functions. It shall:

(a)

Enforce all laws regarding the inspection for and removal of fire hazards and the prevention of fires, enforce life safety codes through systematic inspection and response to complaints and conduct appropriate training as needed.

(b)

As Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector, enforce building codes through systematic inspection and response to complaints and conduct appropriate training as needed.

(c)

As City Health Officer, investigate all complaints relating to nuisances that may be brought to the Health Officer's attention. The Health Officer shall serve as a member of the Board of Health, shall serve all notices and orders issued by the Board and shall enforce all rules and regulations affecting the health and comfort of the public and shall investigate and render assistance in reference to private water supply and septic tanks, investigate all communicable diseases, investigate all sanitary hazards and enforce sanitary laws, issue all burial permits, prepare and maintain all necessary records required by laws of the State of New Hampshire or the City ordinances and perform all other related functions as required.

Call Department. The Call Department trains with the career fire fighters and responds to calls to augment each of the other divisions at the request of the Fire Chief.

§ 4-9 Library Department.

The Library Department shall consist of the Library Director and professional and clerical staff. The Library Director and staff shall be nominated and approved by the Library Board of Trustees and shall perform the following functions. They shall:

Select and procure books, magazines, periodicals and other materials for use by residents.

Catalog, classify and circulate for home use all such material.

Provide a reference service for answering requests for specific information.

Promote the availability of the library material to stimulate a wider general interest in its use.

Promote special reading services for children and young people to aid in the development of desirable reading habits.

Maintain and care for all property assigned to the library.

Prepare and maintain all records pertaining to the Library Department.

Perform all other related functions as required.

§ 4-10 Municipal Services Department.

The Municipal Services Department, under the supervision of the Director, appointed as specified by the City Charter, shall organize as project teams to accomplish assigned tasks and projects. Standing teams with assigned project managers shall be Highways (including bridges), Water and Sewer, Facilities Maintenance, Solid Waste and Equipment Maintenance. The Department shall consist of supervisory, technical, clerical and labor staff as recommended by the department head and concurred with by the City Manager and the City Council.

The Highway Projects Team, under the supervision of the Director and the Project Manager, shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Construct, maintain and repair all roads, streets, bridges and sidewalks, except where specific projects may be let to contractors.

Remove snow and distribute salt and sand on all highways, streets, bridges, sidewalks and other public ways.

Plant, maintain and remove trees and brush on or affecting City property, either by City forces or contractual services.

Prepare, maintain and revise the streetlighting map of the City's lighting system.

Investigate, study, report and recommend extensions of or changes in the streetlighting system.

Install, maintain and repair all street name signs and traffic control and warning signs in the City.

Paint, when necessary, all parking, crosswalk, street division and direction lines on the City's streets, except where specific projects may be let to contractors.

(8)

Prepare and maintain all necessary records pertaining to the project team.

(9)

Perform all other related functions as required.

The Facilities Maintenance Project Team shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Develop, maintain and care for all municipal and recreational buildings and municipal parks, playgrounds, athletic fields and other recreational areas.

Maintain and care for all property assigned to the Parks and Recreation Department, following priorities established by the Parks and Recreation Director.

Perform all other related functions as required.

The Water and Sewer Projects Team, under the supervision of the Director and the project manager, shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Develop, maintain and operate the water supply system of the City, including reservoirs, pumping stations, standpipes, mains, hydrants and services.

Provide necessary and timely information to the Finance Office for the preparation and distribution of bills and charges to users of the water and sewer systems.

Prepare and maintain all necessary records pertaining to water and sewer projects.

Care for and maintain all property assigned to water and sewer projects.

Investigate, study, report and recommend extensions of the water distribution and wastewater collection systems in the City.

Operate and maintain all sewage disposal facilities.

Perform all other related functions as required.

The Solid Waste Projects Team, under the supervision of the Director and the project manager, shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Collect and dispose of all refuse as required.

Prepare and maintain all necessary records pertaining to refuse collection and disposal.

Operate and maintain the Municipal Solid Waste Transfer Station.

Perform all other related functions as required.

The Equipment Maintenance Project Team, under the supervision of the Director and the project manager, shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Repair and maintain all motorized and other municipal equipment.

Purchase, stock and charge to the using department all necessary parts and materials.

Maintain and care for all property and equipment assigned to the project team.

Prepare and maintain all necessary records pertaining to the project team.

Perform all other related functions as required.

§ 4-11 Police Department.

The Police Department, under the supervision of the Chief of Police, appointed as specified by the City Charter, shall consist of such forces of full-time officers and patrol officers and special officers as may be recommended by the Chief and approved by the City Manager and the City Council. The Police Department shall perform the following functions:

Patrol and Detective Divisions. The Patrol and Detective Divisions shall:

Enforce the laws and ordinances of the State of New Hampshire and the City of Franklin.

Investigate crimes and maintain peace and order.

Protect lives and property from malicious damage and injury.

Maintain and care for all property assigned to the Police Department.

Prosecute all violations of the law within the Department's jurisdiction.

Prepare and maintain all necessary records pertaining to the Police Department.

Perform all other related functions as required.

Prosecution Division. The Prosecution Division shall:

Prosecute cases as assigned by the Chief of Police.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

The Animal Control Office shall operate under the supervision of the Patrol Lieutenant. All sworn police officers shall also be animal control officers. The Animal Control Office shall perform the following functions. It shall:

Attend to all complaints or other matters pertaining to animals and enforce the licensing laws and other statutes, ordinances and regulations pertaining to animals.

Operate the City animal shelter in compliance with all laws and regulations covering animals.

Inform the Chief of Police of activities as appropriate and prepare and maintain reports of action taken with respect to specific complaints.