A Town Manager, hereinafter referred to as the "Manager," shall
be appointed by the Town Council solely on the basis of that person's
executive ability and his knowledge of accepted practices in local
government administration. The Manager shall serve for an indefinite
term and be subject to removal by the Town Council in the manner provided
elsewhere in this Charter for the removal of all officers appointed
by the Town Council. At the time of appointment the Manager need not
be a resident of the Town or the state but during the tenure of office
the Manager shall reside in the Town. The Manager shall devote his/her
full time to the office of the Manager.
The Manager shall receive compensation to be fixed by the Town
Council.
It shall be the duty of the Manager to attend all meetings of
the Town Council with the right to speak but not to vote; to keep
the Town Council informed concerning the financial condition of the
Town and concerning all other matters affecting the welfare of the
Town; to prepare and submit in the manner provided in this Charter
the annual budget of the Town; to prepare in form suitable for publication
within 180 days after the close of each fiscal year a report of the
financial transactions and accomplishments of the Town government
for such fiscal year; to see that the laws of the state and ordinances
of the Town are faithfully executed; and to perform such other duties
as may be assigned the Manager by law or by the ordinances or resolutions
of the Town Council.
The Manager shall supervise and control, subject to the Manager's
responsibility to the Town Council, all departments and agencies of
the Town except the Board of Education and those in charge of officers
elected by the people, appointed by the Governor and the General Assembly
or appointed by the Town Council. The Manager shall appoint and may
remove, subject to the provisions elsewhere in this Charter, all officers
and employees of the departments and agencies of the Town under the
Manager's jurisdiction.
[Amended 11-7-2023]
The Manager shall designate, with the approval of the Town Council,
the Assistant Town Manager or the Town Manager’s designee, who
shall act as Manager, except in the matter of appointments and removals,
during any temporary inability of the Manager to serve. In the event
of a vacancy in the office of Manager, from whatever cause arising,
the Town Council shall have power to designate a person, other than
a member of the Town Council, to act as Manager pending the filling
of such vacancy.