The organization of the town into operating agencies for the
provision of services and the administration of the government may
be accomplished only through an organization, or reorganization, plan
filed by the mayor. No organization plan may originate with the town
council. The mayor may, subject only to express prohibitions in a
general law, or this charter, propose to reorganize, consolidate or
abolish any town agency, in whole or in part; or establish any new
town agencies that the mayor considers necessary, but no function
assigned by this charter to a particular town agency may be discontinued
or assigned to any other town agency unless this charter specifically
so provides. The mayor may from time to time prepare and submit to
the town council plans of organization or reorganization that establish
operating divisions for the orderly, efficient or convenient conduct
of the business of the town. Every organization or reorganization
plan submitted by the mayor under this provision shall contain a proposed
ordinance which sets out, in detail, the amendments, insertions, revisions,
repeals or otherwise of existing ordinances that may be necessary
to accomplish the desired reorganization. The reorganization plan
and proposed ordinance shall be accompanied by a message of the mayor
that explains the benefits expected to ensue.
Whenever the mayor proposes such a plan, the town council shall
give notice by publication in a local newspaper and hold 1 or more
public hearings on the proposal. The notice in the local newspaper
shall describe the scope of the proposal, the time and place at which
the public hearing will be held, not less than 7 nor more than 14
days after the publication. An organization or reorganization plan
shall become effective at the expiration of 60 days after the date
the proposal is submitted to the town council unless the town council
shall, by a majority vote, within that period vote to disapprove the
plan. The town council may vote only to approve or to disapprove the
plan and may not vote to amend or to alter it.
All appointments and promotions of town officers and employees
shall be made on the basis of merit and fitness demonstrated by examination,
past performance, or by other evidence of competence and suitability.
The town council may, in any ordinance establishing a salary for an
office or position of employment, establish minimum qualifications
a candidate must possess in order to qualify for appointment to the
office or position of employment.
The council on aging, the fair housing committee, the police
department, the fire department, park department and the town solicitor
shall be responsible to the mayor.
There shall be a parks and recreation commission consisting
of 7 residents appointed by the mayor. Said commission shall advise
the mayor on the operation and maintenance of and policies pertaining
to parks, playgrounds, school athletic facilities, the golf course
and recreational programs. [Amended 1-10-2009 by c. 482 of the
Acts of 2008]