[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of
Whitpain 12-7-1981 by Ord. No. 76-4. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Emergency management organization — See Ch. 12.
The purpose of this chapter is to enable the township to function under
generally accepted principles of the Council-Manager form of government. The
Board of Supervisors shall be responsible for legislative policy making and
appointing a professional Township Manager, who shall be responsible for supervising
and conducting the administrative affairs of the township in a nonpartisan
manner. It is the intent of this chapter to delegate to the Township Manager
all of the nonlegislative powers and duties of the Board of Supervisors as
authorized by Section 599.1 of the Second Class Township Code, Act of May
1, 1933, P.L. 103, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 66301.
The position of Township Manager is hereby created. The Manager shall
be appointed for an indefinite term by a majority of all the members of the
Board of Supervisors, who shall fix the amount of compensation. The Board
shall enter into an employment agreement with the Manager, setting forth the
terms and conditions of employment.
The Township Manager shall be chosen on the basis of executive and administrative
qualifications, with special reference to training and/or experience in municipal
management. The Manager need not be a resident of the township or state at
the time of appointment and may reside outside the township while in office
with the approval of the Board.
The Township Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the
township. He or she shall:
A.
Be responsible to the Board of Supervisors for carrying
out all policies and programs established by the Board.
B.
Direct and supervise the administration of all departments
and functions of the township except as otherwise provided by ordinance or
law.
C.
Appoint, and when deemed necessary, suspend, remove or
otherwise discipline all township employees on the basis of merit system principles
(except where tenure provisions apply). This subsection shall not apply to
the Township Solicitor. (All appointments and disciplinary action that occurs
at the department head level shall be discussed with the Board of Supervisors
prior to any action being taken, and no action shall be taken unless approved
by the Board.)
D.
Make such recommendations to the Board concerning policy
formulation as deemed desirable.
E.
Prepare and submit the annual budget to the Board, together
with such explanatory comment as deemed necessary, and administer the approved
budget.
F.
Keep the Board and public informed as to the conduct
of township affairs.
G.
See that all laws and acts of the Board, subject to enforcement
by him/her or by officers subject to the Manager's supervision, are faithfully
observed.
H.
Prepare the agenda and attend all meetings of the Board
with the right to take part in discussion but not to vote.
I.
Negotiate and sign contracts for the township, subject
to approval of the Board.
J.
Perform such other duties as are designated by the Board.
It is the intent of this chapter that the Board act as a body in all
administrative matters except those of a ministerial nature performed by the
Chairman of the Board. It is contrary to the spirit of this chapter for individual
members of the Board or for committees of the Board to interfere with the
Manager or any authorized personnel of the township in the performance of
their duties. The Board and all members thereof shall deal with administrative
matters solely through the Manager. However, nothing herein shall prevent
the Board from establishing a committee of its own members to review the operations
and legislative needs of the township departments or from assigning its members
to liaison relationships with boards, commissions and authorities.
The Manager shall designate in writing a qualified employee to serve
as Acting Township Manager during the temporary absence or disability of the
Manager. The Board, by a majority vote, may at any time revoke such designation
and appoint a qualified employee to serve as Acting Manager.
