The Board shall, by ordinance, create, alter or abolish nonelective township departments, boards, commissions, authorities and offices and prescribe their organization and functions subject to the provisions of this Charter and general law. The compensation of department heads and administrative officers shall be fixed by the Manager, subject to the approval of the Board. The Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the township and responsible for administration of township affairs as provided in this Charter.
The Board shall, by ordinance, adopt an Administrative Code[1] which shall provide for the administrative organization of the township government, the assignment of duties and responsibilities to department heads, administrative officers and employees and the procedural requirements set forth in the general laws or in this Charter. All changes in organization and procedures set forth in the Administrative Code shall be effected by amendment to the Administrative Code in the same manner as other ordinances are enacted and amended.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 5, Administration of Government.
[Amended 1-7-2013 by Ord. No. 2012-20[1]]
The heads of all departments and all administrative officers shall be appointed and suspended or removed by the Manager subject to approval by a majority vote of the total membership of the Board, unless otherwise provided for in this Charter. Department heads and administrative officers shall appoint, and for stated cause suspend or remove, the subordinate employees with the approval of the Manager under the personnel rules and regulations established by the Administrative Code[2] or other ordinances in accordance with this Charter.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance was subject to referendum and was approved by a majority of the qualified voters 5-21-2013.
[2]
Editor’s Note: See Ch. 5, Administration of Government, Art. VIII.
Appointments, hirings and promotions of all township employees shall be made on the basis of merit and fitness, demonstrated by examination or by other evidence of competence, in accordance with the Administrative Code,[1] ordinances and applicable federal and state laws. Vacancies occurring in the positions of Manager, department head and administrative officer under this Charter shall be advertised in accordance with the provisions for legal advertising specified in this Charter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 5, Administration of Government, Art. VIII.
As part of the Administrative Code, the Board shall adopt personnel procedures and policies which shall apply to township employees.[1] These procedures and policies shall make provision, as a minimum, for job classifications with specified compensation, hours of work, overtime compensation, holidays, vacations, sick leaves, leaves of absence, jury duty, reductions in force, discharge, pension and retirement. They shall also include provision for disciplinary action and grievances.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 5, Administration of Government, Art. VIII.
The Board, by a majority vote of its total membership, shall appoint a Township Solicitor to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board shall fix the compensation of the Township Solicitor. The Township Solicitor shall be a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and shall not hold other elected or appointed public office in the township. The Township Solicitor shall serve as the legal advisor to the Board, department heads, administrative officers, boards, authorities and commissions, except as otherwise provided by law. The Township Solicitor shall represent the township in legal proceedings or hearings and perform any other duties prescribed by this Charter, by ordinance or as directed by the Board. It is the intent of this Charter that only one (1) person shall be the legal advisor to the township, but the Board may authorize other legal counsel for special purposes from time to time.
The Township Engineer shall be a professional civil engineer registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Township Engineer shall be appointed by the Township Manager with the approval of a majority of the total membership of the Board. Under the direct or general supervision of the Township Manager, the Township Engineer shall supervise and control all engineering and other related matters of the township except as otherwise provided by the Board, by ordinance or by law.
The Board, by majority vote of its total membership, shall appoint a registered township elector as Township Secretary to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board shall fix the compensation of the Township Secretary. The Township Secretary shall serve as secretary to the Board and as keeper of the Township Seal and shall attest to official actions taken by the Board. The Township Secretary shall maintain and publish a calendar for regular meetings of boards, commissions and authorities and shall be custodian of the records and minutes of the same. The Township Secretary shall perform such other functions as may be directed by the Board and as may be required by this Charter, by ordinance or by law.
The Township Finance Director shall be qualified by education or experience in financial management and public finance. The Finance Director shall be appointed by the Manager with the approval of a majority vote of the total membership of the Board. Under the direction of the Manager, the Finance Director shall be the chief financial officer and shall supervise the financial affairs of the township as provided for in this Charter, by ordinance or by law.