The town shall have the power to employ such
officers and employees as it deems necessary to execute the powers
and duties provided by this Charter or other state law and to operate
the town government.
The town may provide by ordinance for appointments
and promotions in the administrative service on the basis of merit
and fitness. To carry out this purpose, the Council shall have the
power to adopt such rules and regulations governing the operation
of a merit system as it deems desirable or necessary. Among other
things, these rules and regulations may provide for competitive examinations,
the use of eligible lists, a classification plan, compensation plan,
a probation period, appeals by employees included within the classified
service from dismissal or other disciplinary action and vacation and
sick leave regulations. The town may request and avail itself of the
facilities of the Commissioner of State Personnel for the administration
of its merit system as provided in state law.
The town shall have the power to do all things
necessary to include its officers and employees, or any of them, within
any retirement system or pension system under the terms of which they
are admissible, and to pay the employer's share of the cost of any
such retirement or pension system out of the general funds of the
town.
The Council shall appoint a Clerk-Treasurer,
who shall serve at its pleasure. The Clerk-Treasurer shall be the
chief financial officer of the town under the supervision of the Council.
The Clerk-Treasurer shall serve as Clerk to the Council, attend every
meeting of the Council, keep a full and accurate account of the proceedings
of the Council and keep such other records and perform such other
duties as may be required by this Charter or the Council.
The President of the Council, with the approval
of the Council, may appoint a Town Attorney. The Town Attorney shall
be a member of the bar of Maryland Court of Appeals. The Town Attorney
shall be the legal advisor of the town and perform such duties in
connection as may be required by the Council. His compensation shall
be determined by the Council. The town shall have the power to employ
such legal consultants as it deems necessary from time to time.