[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Sleepy Hollow 2-11-1985 by L.L. No. 1-1985 (Ch. 2 of the 1964 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Defense and indemnification — See Ch. 23.
Code of Ethics — See Ch. 34.
[Amended 1-22-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]
In order to provide the most economical and efficient overall direction, coordination and control of the day-to-day activities and operations of the Village of Sleepy Hollow, to minimize the administrative details now handled by the Board of Trustees, to provide centralized direction and control of Village employees and to formalize staff and advisory functions, the position of Village Administrator is hereby established.
A. 
Appointment. The Village Administrator shall be appointed by the Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Mayor. The position of Village Administrator shall be full-time and shall be unclassified. The Village Administrator shall serve for an indefinite term and shall remain in the position at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees. The Administrator shall be chosen by the appointing authority without regard to the appointee's political beliefs and solely on the basis of the appointee's training and experience in the field of public administration or municipal management.
[Amended 1-22-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]
B. 
Eligibility. At the time of the appointment, the Administrator need not be a resident of the Village or the State of New York, but shall become a resident of the Village within six months after appointment and qualification and so remain during his tenure. This residency requirement, however, may be waived by a majority of the Board of Trustees. No elected official of the Village shall be eligible for such appointment during the term for which the official shall have been elected nor within one year after the expiration of that term.
[Amended 1-22-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]
The Village Administrator shall receive such compensation as the Board of Trustees shall fix.
[Amended 1-22-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]
Subject to the approval, direction and control of the Board of Trustees, or in those instances in which approval, direction and control is, by applicable law, reserved to the Mayor, then under the approval, direction and control of the Mayor, and in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Board of Trustees, the Village Administrator shall:
A. 
Oversee the enforcement of the rules, regulations, ordinances, local laws and codes of the Village so that they are administered efficiently and impartially.
B. 
Supervise and coordinate the activities of all Village departments.
C. 
Oversee and coordinate the work of all Village employees, except the Village Attorney, and implement the personnel policies, rules and regulations of the Village.
D. 
Recommend to the Mayor and the Board of Trustees appointments, promotions or dismissals of all Village employees in accordance with applicable statutes.
E. 
Represent or supervise the representation of the Village in collective negotiations with employees.
F. 
When so designated by the Mayor, prepare, as budget officer, the annual operating budget according to law and, when directed by the Board of Trustees, prepare the capital projects budget.
G. 
Be responsible for the preparation of all contracts and bid specifications and act as purchasing agent for all Village offices, departments, boards and commissions.
H. 
Supervise and control all encumbrances, expenditures and disbursements, including the auditing of all vouchers, to ensure that budget appropriations are not exceeded.
I. 
Keep the Board of Trustees fully informed as to the Village's financial condition and future monetary needs for operational and capital project purposes and recommend needed action.
J. 
Keep the Board of Trustees and appropriate Village officials advised of pending federal, state and county legislation and of the availability of any applicable grants-in-aid from higher levels of government.
K. 
Attend all meetings of the Board of Trustees, unless excused by the Mayor, with the right to take part in any discussion, but without the right to vote; and provide information relevant to agenda items and questions of the Board of Trustees.
L. 
Consult with appropriate Village officers and employees in the preparation of any resolutions or local laws for the consideration of the Board of Trustees.
M. 
Recommend to the Board of Trustees for adoption such measures as the Administrator may deem necessary or expedient for the health, safety or welfare of the Village residents or for the improvement of administrative services through greater productivity and economy.
N. 
Investigate and respond to all inquiries by Village residents and other interested persons concerning Village government operations and services.
O. 
If requested by the Board of Trustees, maintain liaison with other governments and administrative agencies.
P. 
Perform such other duties as may be required by resolution of the Board of Trustees.
[Amended 10-28-2025 by L.L. No. 7-2025]
In the case of a vacancy, or during the absence or disability of the Village Administrator, the Assistant Village Administrator shall perform the duties, assume the responsibilities, and act for and on behalf of the Village Administrator. In the case of a vacancy, or during the absence or disability of the Assistant Village Administrator, the Mayor may designate any properly qualified person to perform their duties.
[Amended 1-22-2013 by L.L. No. 1-2013]
The Board of Trustees may remove the Village Administrator in accordance with the following procedure:
A. 
The Board of Trustees shall adopt, by affirmative vote of the majority of its membership, a preliminary resolution which shall state the reasons for such removal and may suspend the Village Administrator from duty for a period not to exceed 30 days with pay, but without reimbursable expenses. A copy of the resolution shall be delivered to the Village Administrator personally or by certified mail to the Administrator's home address within five days after adoption.
B. 
Within five days after receipt of the resolution, the Village Administrator may file with the Village Clerk a written request for a public hearing. Such hearing shall be held at an advertised meeting not earlier than 20 days nor later than 30 days after the hearing request has been filed with the Village Clerk.
C. 
The Board of Trustees may adopt a final resolution of removal, which may be made effective immediately, by affirmative vote of the majority of the membership of the Board, any time after 10 days from the day of delivery of the preliminary resolution to the Village Administrator, if the Administrator has not requested a public hearing, or at any time after the public hearing if such was requested.
D. 
The Village Administrator shall continue to receive full salary until the effective date of the final resolution of removal and for a period of 30 days thereafter.
E. 
The action of the Board of Trustees in suspending or removing the Village Administrator shall not be subject to review by any court or agency.
A. 
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed or construed as abolishing, transferring or curtailing any powers or responsibilities of the Mayor or the Board of Trustees or other Village officers as prescribed by the Village Law or other applicable laws of the state.
B. 
Any existing local laws or ordinances of the Village setting forth the duties of heads of departments shall remain in full force and effect, except insofar as they conflict with the provisions of this chapter.