[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of West Donegal 12-18-1995 by Ord. No. 104-1995 (Ch. 1, Part 7, of
the 1984 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
This article shall be known as the "West Donegal Township Manager
Ordinance."
The office of Township Manager is hereby created by the Township
of West Donegal in accordance with the authority granted by the Second
Class Township Code, subject to the right of the Township, by ordinance,
to abolish such office.
The Manager shall be appointed for an indefinite term by a majority
of all members of the Board of Supervisors. The Manager shall serve
at the pleasure of the Board and may be removed, with or without cause,
at any time by a majority vote of all its members.
The Manager shall be chosen solely on the basis of executive
and administrative abilities. The Manager need not be a resident of
the Township or of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the time of
his or her appointment, but the Manager may only reside outside the
Township while in office with the approval of the Board of Supervisors.
The Manager shall receive such compensation as established by
resolution by the Board of Supervisors. The compensation of the Manager
shall be paid out of the General Fund of the Township.
The Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the
Township. The Manager shall be responsible to the Board of Supervisors
as a whole for the proper and efficient administration of Township
affairs. The Manager's powers and duties shall relate to the
general management of all Township business not expressly, by statute
or ordinance, imposed or conferred upon other Township officers.
Subject to recall by ordinance of the Board, the Township Manager
shall have the following duties and the commensurate powers to carry
out those duties:
A.
Supervise and be responsible for the activities of all municipal
departments, including the Northwest Regional Police Department, except
those activities relating directly to the performance of a police
officer's duty and except as otherwise provided by ordinance
or law. The Chief of Police shall be under the supervision of the
Manager, and the Manager shall insure that the Chief implements the
polices and decisions of the Board.
B.
Appoint, suspend or remove, with the advice and consent of the Board,
all department heads (except the Police Chief and except where tenure
provisions or collective bargaining agreements apply) on the basis
of merit system principles. The Manager shall assist the Board with
the appointment of a Police Chief.
C.
Appoint, suspend or remove, with the advice and consent of the Board,
all other Township employees on the basis of merit system principles
(except where tenure provisions or collective bargaining agreements
apply). This subsection shall not apply to the Solicitor or Engineer.
The Manager may authorize any department head to exercise such policies
or power with respect to his or her subordinates, provided that any
such authorized exercise shall ultimately be subject to the Manager's
supervision, review and modification.
D.
Prepare and submit to the Board, before the close of each fiscal
year and within sufficient time for consideration by the Board, a
budget for the next fiscal year and an explanatory budget message.
In preparing the budget, the Manager, or an officer designated by
the Manager, shall obtain from the head of each department, agency
or board, or any qualified officer thereof, estimates of revenues
and expenditures and such other supporting data as he or she requires.
The Manager shall review such estimates and may revise them before
submitting the budget to the Board.
E.
Exercise control over the administration of the budget after its
adoption by the Board.
F.
Develop long-range fiscal plans for the Township in conjunction with
the preparation of the yearly budget, such plan to be presented annually
to the Board for its review and adoption.
G.
Hold such other municipal offices and head such municipal departments
as permitted by law and as the Board may from time to time direct.
H.
Attend all meetings of the Board and its committees, with the right
to participate in the discussion, but not to vote. The Manager shall
be notified of all special meetings of the Board and its committees.
I.
Prepare the agenda for each meeting of the Board and supply facts
pertinent thereto.
J.
Inform the Board as to the conduct of Township affairs, submit periodic
reports on the condition of the Township finances and such other reports
as the Board requests, and make such other recommendations to the
Board as he or she deems advisable.
K.
Prepare and submit to the Board, as soon as possible after the close
of the fiscal year, a complete report on the finances and the administrative
activities of the Township for the preceding year.
L.
Ensure that the provisions of all franchises, leases, permits and
privileges granted by the Township are observed.
M.
Employ, by and with the approval of the Board, experts and consultants
to perform services on behalf of the Township.
N.
Provide for the letting of contracts in due form of law, and supervise
the performance and faithful execution of the same, except insofar
as such duties are expressly imposed by statute upon some other Township
officer.
O.
Ensure that all monies owed the Township are promptly paid and that
proper proceedings are taken for the security and collection of all
the Township's claims.
P.
Be the purchasing officer of the Township and purchase, in accordance
with the provisions of the Second Class Township Code, all supplies
and equipment for the agencies, boards, departments and other offices
of the Township, keeping an account of all purchases and, from time
to time or when directed by the Board, make a full written report
thereof. The Manager shall also issue rules and regulations, subject
to the approval of the Board, governing the procurement of all municipal
supplies and equipment.
Q.
Receive all complaints regarding Township services and employees.
The Manager, or a person designated by him or her, shall investigate
and dispose of such complaints, and the Manager shall report thereon
to the Board. If a complaint shall involve the Northwest Regional
Police Department, the Manager shall also refer the complaint to the
Chief of Police who shall perform a separate investigation and also
submit a written report to the Board.
R.
Be responsible for the enforcement of all ordinances and regulations
of the Township which by statute or ordinance are not to be enforced
by other Township officials or employees.
S.
Participate in intergovernmental programs, monitor legislative activity
and keep abreast of current advances in management and technology.
T.
Perform such other duties as may be required by the Board.
The Manager shall give bond to the Township, with sufficient
surety, in the amount directed by the Board of Supervisors, conditioned
for the faithful performance of the duties of the office. The premium
for the bond shall be paid by the Township.
If the Manager becomes ill or needs to be absent from the Township,
he or she shall recommend to the Board one qualified person to perform
the duties of the Manager during his or her absence or disability.
The Board shall designate a person to perform the Manager's duties.
