Township of Washington, PA Departmental Organization

The administrative service of the municipality shall be under the Manager and be comprised of the following departments and heads thereof:

Department	Head
Department of Administration	Manager
Public Works Department	Foreman
Sanitary Sewerage Department	Plant operator
Department of Inspection	Zoning Administrator
Department of Recreation	Manager

The Municipal Manager shall be chosen by the Council on the basis of his/her executive and administrative qualifications. At the time of his/her appointment, he/she need not be a resident of the municipality or state. Within six months from the date of his/her appointment, he/she shall reside within the Township or at a distance no greater than 10 miles from the borders of the Township of Washington. The Municipal Manager shall not hold any elective office.

[Amended 11-5-1997 by Ord. No. 11-97]

The Municipal Manager shall be appointed for an indefinite term and may be removed by a majority vote of the Council. At least 30 days before such removal shall become effective, the Council shall notify the Municipal Manager of its decision to remove him from office by a majority vote of its members, stating the reasons for his removal. The Municipal 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 be requested, and after full consideration, the Council, by majority vote of its members, may adopt a final resolution of removal. By the preliminary resolution, the Council may suspend the Municipal Manager from duty, but may, in any case, cause to be paid him forthwith any unpaid balance of his salary and thereafter his salary for the next three calendar months.

The Municipal Manager may designate a qualified administrative officer of the municipality to perform his duties during his temporary absence or disability, except that any such appointment so made shall be subject to the approval of the Council. In the event of his failure to make such designation, or if the absence or disability continues for more than 30 days, the Council may appoint an officer of the municipality to perform the duties of the Manager during such absence or disability until he shall return or until his disability shall cease.

The Municipal Manager shall:

(1)

Be the chief executive and administrative official of the municipality.

(2)

Execute all laws and ordinances of the municipality.

(3)

Appoint and, with the approval of Council, have the power to remove department heads; appoint a Deputy Manager, if one be authorized by Council; and appoint subordinate officers and employees under procedures established in Section 1222 of Article VIII of Act 62 of 1972.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Said law, codified as former 53 P.S. § 1-1222, was repealed 12-19-1996 by P.L. 1158, No. 177, § 2(a). See now 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 3122.

(4)

Negotiate contracts for the municipality, subject to the approval of the Municipal Council, and make recommendations concerning the nature and location of municipal improvements as determined by the Municipal Council.

(5)

Assure that all terms and conditions imposed in favor of the municipality or its inhabitants in any statute, public utility franchise or other contract are faithfully kept and performed, and, upon knowledge of any violation, call the same to the attention of the Municipal Council.

(6)

Prepare the agenda for and attend all meetings of the Municipal Council with the right to take part in the discussions, but without the right to vote.

(7)

Make such recommendations to the Council concerning policy formulation as he deems desirable and keep the Council and the public informed as to the conduct of municipal affairs.

(8)

Prepare and submit the annual budget to the Council, together with his recommendations and such explanatory comment as he may deem desirable, and administer the Council-approved budget. The budget shall be prepared and advertised as stipulated in the Second Class Township Code.[2]

[2]

Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 65101 et seq.

(9)

Perform such other duties as may be required of the Municipal Manager by ordinance or resolution of the Municipal Council.

(10)

Be responsible to the Council for carrying out all policies established by it and for the proper administration of all affairs of the municipality within the jurisdiction of the Council.

(11)

Have the following powers and duties as herein specifically set forth. The Manager:

(a)

Shall provide each Councilman with blank road maps for the purposes of Council members presenting ideas for road construction and repair to the Manager. The Manager shall present to each Council member, by April 1 of each year, a detailed plan and estimated costs of the Manager's recommendations and projections for the following year for all Township roads.

(b)

Cannot spend more than $500 without first obtaining approval of Council.

(c)

Shall obtain approval of Council before advertising for any bid, excluding community development block grant (CDBG) bids. All bids shall be opened at regularly scheduled Council meetings, excluding community development block grant bids, which may be opened by staff at advertised times pursuant to at least one Councilperson being present. Any bid accepted shall require the final approval of Council.

[Amended 12-30-1996 by Ord. No. 8-96]

(d)

Shall provide to each Council member a copy of all previous minutes of Township meetings, authorities and commissions at least one week before the next regularly scheduled Council meeting; except, however, that the Manager shall not be required to provide the minutes of any meeting held within one week prior to the regular Township meeting.

(e)

Shall obtain the approval of Council for the subcontracting or subletting of any job to be performed in Washington Township.

(f)

Shall make every effort to communicate with Council, particularly in the area of providing information to Councilmen in areas of government, road maintenance, personnel direction, budget preparation, public relations, water and sewer system maintenance and solid waste disposal.

(g)

Shall notify all Council members of all meetings of Township authorities and commissions within 48 hours of such meetings.

(h)

Shall prepare and recommend short-term and long-range objectives to the Council.

(i)

Shall prepare plans and programs for the attainment of objectives approved by the Council.

(j)

Shall attend all meetings of all Township boards, commissions and authorities.

(k)

Shall investigate and present recommendations to the Council concerning state and federal grant and aid programs.

(l)

Shall prepare reports to other governmental units.

(m)

Shall attend and participate in state conventions and professional association meetings.

(n)

Shall maintain professional affiliations and keep abreast of new developments in all fields concerning municipal government.

(o)

Shall review budget performance of all departments.

(p)

Shall prepare and submit to Council monthly reports on all Township activities or projects concerning construction, equipment purchases and the like, said reports to include a breakdown of expenditures, if any.

(q)

Shall prepare background information, cost estimates and recommendations for Council's monthly meetings.

(r)

Shall prepare cash-flow statements for all major Township expenditures.

(s)

Shall prepare, recommend and implement a capital improvement program.

(t)

Shall prepare and update plans for the utilization of funds made available to the Township under federal and state revenue sharing programs.

(u)

Shall initially meet with all land developers and/or business developers interested in projects within the Township.

(v)

Shall prepare and/or approve news releases.

(w)

Shall maintain public relations contacts with residents and taxpayers of the Township.

(x)

Shall determine responsibilities and authorities for performance of assigned functions of departments.

(y)

Shall develop and update a training plan for municipal employees.

(z)

Shall prepare and implement a preventive maintenance program for municipal equipment.

(aa)

Shall administer a municipal personnel policy, procedures and programs as enacted by Council.

(bb)

Shall prepare or approve specifications for purchases of major equipment.

(cc)

Shall direct and supervise the daily work of the Township administrative staff.