A.
The Township Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the township.
B.
The Board shall, at its organization meeting on the first Monday of January following each municipal election, appoint a Township Manager for a term of two (2) years or until his successor is appointed, subject to removal pursuant to § C703. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Township Manager, the appointment of a successor shall be for a term expiring on the first Monday of January following the next municipal election. The appointment of a Manager or his successor shall be by an absolute majority vote of the Board.
C.
The Manager shall be selected on the basis of the Board's evaluation of his administrative training, professional qualifications and experience. The Manager need not be a township resident when appointed, but must become a township resident within six (6) months after his initial appointment and thereafter remain such a resident so long as he is Township Manager.
D.
The Board shall fix the compensation of the Manager by separate ordinance or by specific identification of such compensation in the annual budget. If the Manager is employed pursuant to a contract which sets compensation, Board approval of that contract by ordinance represents compliance with this provision. No reduction in compensation shall effect the Manager then serving during his then current term of office.
E.
During his tenure, the Township Manager shall not have any other employment for compensation without the approval of the Board, nor shall be hold any elective public office or the office of Township Controller or Solicitor. In addition to the prohibitions of § C1107 hereof, and except in the performance of his official duties, the Manager shall not engage in activities in any way related to the election to public office of any public official other than by voting.
Commentary: Managers are given two-year terms so that the Board can review that decision regularly. It may be necessary, to induce someone to leave another position, to provide some contractual protection, as provided in § C704. The Manager can be removed at any time, but that removal may trigger severance pay. However, the Board cannot reduce a Manager's pay to drive him out. The Manager is the one township official who should be as insulated from political affairs as possible. |