[Adopted 12-30-1981 by Ord. No. 983]
The purpose of this article is to enable the Borough to function under accepted principles of the Council-Manager form of government. The Council shall be responsible for determining legislative policy and appointing a Borough Manager who shall be responsible for supervising and conducting the administrative affairs of the Borough in a professional, nonpartisan manner. It is the intent of this article to delegate to the Borough Manager all of the nonlegislative and nonjudicial powers and duties of the Borough Council as authorized by Section 1141 of the Borough Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 8 Pa.C.S.A. § 1141.
The position of Borough Manager is hereby created. The Manager shall be appointed for an indefinite term by a majority of all the members of the Council, who shall fix the amount of compensation. The Council shall enter into an employment agreement with the Manager, setting forth the terms and conditions of employment.
The Borough Manager shall be chosen solely on the basis of administrative qualifications, with special reference to training and/or experience in municipal management. The Manager need not be a resident of the Borough or state at the time of appointment but may reside outside the Borough while in office only with the approval of the Council.
The Borough Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the Borough and shall be responsible to the Council as a whole for the proper administration of Borough affairs. The duties of the Manager shall include the following:
A. 
To be responsible to the Council for carrying out all policies and programs established by the Council.
B. 
To direct and supervise the administration of all departments and functions of the Borough except as otherwise provided by ordinance or law.
C. 
To appoint and, when deemed necessary, suspend, remove or otherwise discipline all Borough employees under the Manager's supervision on the basis of merit system principles or, in the case of police officers, by the civil service provisions of the Borough Code.[1] This subsection shall not apply to the Auditor, Borough Solicitor or Borough Engineer. All appointments and disciplinary action that occur at the department head level shall be discussed with the Council prior to any action being taken.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 8 Pa.C.S.A. § 101 et seq.
D. 
To make such recommendations to the Council concerning policy formulation as deemed desirable.
E. 
To prepare and submit the annual budget to the Council, together with such explanatory comments as deemed desirable, and administer the approved budget.
F. 
To keep the Council and public informed as to the conduct of Borough affairs.
G. 
To see that all laws and acts of the Council, subject to enforcement by the Manager or employees under the Manager's supervision, are faithfully observed.
H. 
To prepare the agenda and attend all meetings of the Council with the right to take part in discussion but not to vote.
I. 
To negotiate and sign contracts for the Borough, subject to approval by the Council.
J. 
To perform such other duties as are designated by the Council.
It is the intent of this article that the Council act as a body in all administrative matters except those of a ministerial nature performed by the President of the Council. It is contrary to the spirit of this article for individual members of the Council or for committees of the Council to interfere with the Manager or with any authorized employee of the Borough in the performance of his duties. The Council and all members thereof shall deal with administrative matters solely through the Manager. However, nothing shall prevent the Council from establishing a committee of its own members to review the operations and legislative needs of the Borough departments or from assigning its members to liaison relationships with boards, commissions and authorities.
Whenever the Manager declines to resign at the request of the Council, the Manager may be removed from office in accordance with the following procedure: At least 30 days before such removal shall become effective, the Council shall, by a majority vote of all its members, adopt a preliminary resolution stating the specific reasons for removal. The Manager may reply, in writing, and may request a public hearing, which shall be held not earlier than 20 days nor later than 30 days after the filing of such request. After such public hearing, if one is requested, and after full consideration, the Council, by a majority vote of all its members, may adopt a final resolution of removal. By the preliminary resolution the Council may suspend the Manager from duty but shall in any case pay the Manager any unpaid salary and salary and benefits for such additional time as may be specified in the employment agreement. This section shall not apply when the Manager is suspended or removed because of malfeasance or misfeasance or following a conviction of any felony or misdemeanor.
The Manager may designate, in writing, a qualified employee to serve as Acting Borough Manager during the temporary absence or disability of the Manager. The Council, by a majority vote, may at any time revoke such designation and may appoint a qualified employee to serve as Acting Manager.