Appointments and promotions to all positions in the service
of the City shall be made solely on the basis of merit and only after
examination of the applicant's fitness. So far as practicable examinations
shall be competitive. (RSA 49-C:18) (Amended by referendum 11-2-2010,
3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
The first Manager under this Charter shall draft and submit
to the Council within three months after assuming office a set of
rules and regulations, which shall become effective one month after
its submission unless vetoed by the Council within that period, providing
for the establishment of a merit system of personnel administration
and for the implementation of such portions of that system as are
prescribed by this Charter. The rules and regulations shall include
provisions with regard to classification, compensation, selection,
training, promotion, discipline, vacations, and any other matters
necessary to the maintenance of efficient service and the improvement
of working conditions. The rules and regulations shall continue in
force subject to amendments submitted from time to time by the Manager
which shall become effective one month after their submission unless
vetoed by the Council within that period. Until the first set of such
rules and regulations becomes effective, the Manager may establish
temporary rules and regulations. (RSA 49-C:21) (Amended by referendum
11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
The compensation of all officers and employees not fixed by
this Charter shall be fixed in the rules and regulations of the merit
plan by a schedule of pay which shall include a minimum and maximum
and such intermediate rates as may be deemed desirable for each class
of position provided for in said rules and regulations. In increasing
or decreasing items in the City budget, the Council shall not increase
or decrease any individual salary item but shall act solely with respect
to total salaries in the various departments of the City. (RSA
49-C:34) (Amended by referendum 11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective
7-1-2011)
There is hereby established a Personnel Advisory Board of three
citizens holding no other municipal office and appointed, one member
by the Manager, one by the Council, and the third by these two appointees.
In the first instance only the member appointed by the Manager shall
serve for one year, the member appointed by the Council for two years,
and the third member for three years, in each case beginning on the
effective date of this Charter; the terms of all succeeding members
shall be for three years beginning on the expiration of the term each
succeeds. It shall be the duty of the Personnel Advisory Board to
study the broad problems of personnel policy and administration, to
advise the Council concerning the personnel policies of the City and
the Manager regarding the administration of the merit plan and to
hear appeals from any employee aggrieved as to the status or condition
of his employment. The Board shall issue written reports containing
findings of facts and recommendations to the Manager upon such appeals,
but the Board shall have no power to reinstate an employee unless
it finds, after investigation, that disciplinary action was taken
against the employee for religious, racial, or political reasons. (RSA 49-C:34) (Amended by referendum 11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235
no, effective 7-1-2011)
No compensation shall be paid without certification by the Manager,
or such officer as he may direct, that the recipients are employed
by the City and that their rates of compensation comply with the pay
schedule provided for in Section 6:03. If such officer approves payments
not in conformity therewith, he and his surety shall be liable for
the amount of such payments. A taxpayer may maintain a civil action
to restrain payment of compensation to persons unlawfully appointed
or employed or to recover for the City any sums paid contrary to the
provisions of this Charter. (RSA 49-C:34) (Amended by referendum
11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
No employee of the City at the time this Charter is adopted
shall be required to take any examination in order to continue within
the employment of the City. All other provisions of the merit plan
will apply to such employees. (RSA 49-C:29) (Amended by referendum
11-2-2010, 3,334 yes, 1,235 no, effective 7-1-2011)
