[Adopted 7-15-1971 by Ord. No. 250 (Ch. 1, Part 1A, of the 1994 Code)]
The office of Township Manager for the Township of Hatfield is hereby created pursuant to the provisions of § 1502 of the First Class Township Code, Act of June 24, 1931, P.L. 1206, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 56502.
As soon as possible after the passage of this article, the Township Commissioners shall appoint by a majority vote of all of its members an individual to fill said post. The Township Manager so appointed shall serve for an indefinite term, at the pleasure of the Township Commissioners and may be removed at any time by a vote of the majority of all of the members of the Township Commissioners.
The following qualifications shall be required of any individual appointed to the office of Township Manager of Hatfield Township:
A. 
He shall be a citizen of the United States and at least 21 years of age.
B. 
He shall possess a college degree in public administration or business administration, or have received sufficient college credits in municipal or public courses, or have experience in municipal government administration satisfactory to the Township Commissioners, or meet any other requirements or qualifications of the Township Commissioners deemed requisite for the position of Township Manager in order to be sufficiently able to discharge the duties of his office as hereinafter set forth.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 36-10, Salary, as amended, was repealed 2-25-2009 by Ord. No. 583.
The Township Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the Township and as such shall be responsible to the Township Commissioners as a whole for the proper and efficient administration of the affairs of the Township. His powers and duties shall relate to the general management of all Township business not expressly by statute or ordinance imposed or conferred upon the Township officers. He shall carry out such nonlegislative and nonjudicial duties and powers of the Township Commissioners as delegated, subject to recall.
The Township Commissioners shall, if they so desire, require the Township Manager to give a bond to the benefit of the Township with a surety company, or other company authorized by law to act as surety, for the faithful performance of the duties of the position of Township Manager, and the amount and the surety company may be approved by the Township Commissioners either by way of ordinance or resolution.
[Amended 4-12-1973 by Ord. No. 250A]
The specific duties and authority of the Township Manager shall include, but not be limited to:
A. 
He shall be vested with the authority of and shall carry out the duties of the Township Manager as specified in the First Class Township Code.
B. 
He shall supervise and be responsible for the activities of all municipal departments.
C. 
He shall have hiring/suspension/termination authority of all Township employees, with the exception of uniformed employees, pursuant to the following provisions:
[Amended 2-25-2009 by Ord. No. 583]
(1) 
Nonuniformed, non-department head/Assistant Manager positions. He shall have the authority to hire, suspend or terminate all employees in this category with due cause, except for such appointive offices as are required by law to be filled by action of the Board of Commissioners. The President of the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Commissioners shall be informed when the Manager takes action pursuant to this section. The Manager may alter the duties of any position at his discretion; however, the Manager cannot create positions for the Township.
(2) 
Nonuniformed, department head/Assistant Manager positions. He shall have the authority to hire, suspend or terminate all employees in this category with due cause, except for such appointive offices as are required by law to be filled by action of the Board of Commissioners, with the exception of the Chief of Police. The Manager shall oversee the interview and hiring process. The Manager will inform the Board of the planned hiring process prior to commencement of the job search. If the hiring process exceeds 120 days, the Manager will periodically provide a status update to the Board of the hiring process. Prior to a formal offer to a candidate, the Manager shall review the number of applicants, the interview process, the credentials of the top candidates, the rationale for the particular selection and the offer being made to the candidate with the Board of Commissioners. Following review with the Board of Commissioners, the Manager may negotiate an offer with the candidate selected by the Manager.
(3) 
Uniformed employees. The Civil Service Code process hires/promotes all uniformed employees, except the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police, in consultation with the Manager, can suspend or discipline uniformed employees for a maximum of 10 days without Board authorization. The Manager and the Chief of Police will recommend termination of uniformed employees to the Board of Commissioners. The Manager and the Board of Commissioners shall work together to hire, suspend or terminate the Chief of Police. Annual reviews of the Chief of Police made by the Manager shall be reviewed with the Board of Commissioners, including work performance and goals. When hiring a Chief of Police, the Manager shall interview candidates for the position, and shall select a final candidate who shall be interviewed by the Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners and the Manager shall confirm that the candidate is the best choice for the Township or decide on another course of action.
D. 
He shall supervise and direct the office, duties and functions of all subordinate employees of the Township in all departments over which the Township Commissioners have jurisdiction. He shall be responsible for reorganizing the several departments of the Township government including the elimination or consolidation of any departments and any changes in the powers and duties of the department heads.
E. 
He shall execute and enforce all laws of the commonwealth with respect to Township matters, as well as all ordinances, resolutions and regulations of the Township, provided however, that this shall be construed to be in addition to and not in substitution of the authority of any other official or employee of the Township to enforce such laws, ordinances, resolutions or regulations.
F. 
He shall prepare and submit to the Township Commissioners before the close of the fiscal year, or on such alternate dates as the Township Commissioners may determine, a budget for the next fiscal year and an explanatory budget message, and in this connection he shall have the authority to request and receive such information and figures from any department employee as he may request. He shall be responsible for the administration of budgets after their adoption.
G. 
He shall submit and present to the Township Commissioners as of the end of each fiscal year a complete report of the administrative and financial activities of the Township during the preceding year and shall make such interim reports on these matters as the Township may from time to time request.
H. 
He shall keep the Township Commissioners advised of the financial condition of the Township, and of the future needs of the Township, and shall make such recommendations to the Township Commissioners in regard thereto as he deems necessary.
I. 
He shall attend to the letting of contracts in due form of law and he shall supervise the performance and faithful execution of the same except insofar as such duties are expressly imposed upon some other Township officer by statute.
J. 
He shall see that all monies owing the Township are properly paid and that the proper proceedings are taken to secure and collect all Township claims.
K. 
He shall attend all meetings of the Township Commissioners and of its committees unless excused in any particular case, and shall have the right to receive notice of all meetings of the Township Commissioners and their committees, and to take part in the discussion of all meetings of the Township Commissioners and their committees.
L. 
He shall be in charge of the preparation of the agenda for each meeting of the Commissioners and for committee meetings in regard thereto, and supply facts pertinent thereto.
M. 
He shall recommend to the Township Commissioners from time to time the adoption of such policies as he may deem necessary or expedient for the health, safety or welfare of the Township or its citizens.
N. 
He shall see that the provisions of all franchises, leases, permits and privileges granted by the Township are observed; provided, however, that this authority shall be in addition to, and not in substitution of, any authority granted by law or ordinance or regulations of the Township, to any other official or employee of the Township.
O. 
He shall be the purchasing officer of the Township and shall purchase in accordance with the provisions of the First Class Township Code all supplies and equipment for the various agencies, boards, departments, and other offices of the Township. He shall keep an account of all purchases and shall from time to time, when directed by the Township Commissioners, make a full written report thereof.
[Amended 2-25-2009 by Ord. No. 583]
P. 
He shall cooperate with the Township Commissioners at all times, and in all matters, that the best interests of the Township and of the general public may be maintained.
Q. 
All complaints regarding services or personnel shall be referred to the Township Manager, who shall, in person or by a person designated by him, investigate and dispose of such complaints and the Manager shall report thereon to the Commissioners.
R. 
He shall become familiar with, and advise the Township Commissioners concerning, all county, state and federal assistance grants available to the Township, and, in the event the Township Commissioners wish to avail themselves of such assistance, he shall be responsible for the preparation of applications to such authority or body having jurisdiction thereunder.