[Amended 11-6-1984]
A.Â
There shall be the following administrative officers and departments
for the Town of Bethel: Comptroller; Tax Collector; Assessor; Director
of Civil Preparedness; Director of Health; Fire Marshal; Building
Official; Planning and Zoning Official; Town Counsel; Police Department;
Town Engineer; and Department of Public Works. The Board of Selectmen
may recommend to the Town Meeting, pursuant to the provisions of this
Charter, the creation of such additional administrative offices and
departments as it from time to time may deem appropriate and necessary
to the best interest of the town.
[Amended 11-4-2003]
B.Â
The terms of office of administrative officers shall commence on
the first Monday of December. The length of said terms shall be as
hereinafter specified.
C.Â
Any administrative officer who is appointed to a position for which there exists a state certification shall either possess said certification or shall obtain the appropriate certification within one (1) year from the date of his/her appointment or one (1) year from the effective date of this Subsection C. Said state certification will be in addition to those requirements as hereinafter set forth for each administrative office. Failure to obtain said state certification shall be deemed sufficient cause for dismissal, unless the appointing authority, for cause, grants the administrative officer an extension of time and/or waiver.
[Added 11-7-1989]
A.Â
Any vacancy in any appointive administrative office, from whatever
cause arising, shall be filled by the appointing authority to such
office. Persons appointed to fill vacancies in said administrative
offices shall serve for the unexpired portion of the term vacated
if such office has a fixed term, or shall serve an indefinite term
in the event that no fixed term is provided for such office.
B.Â
The administrative officers in office at the time of adoption of
this Charter shall continue in office until their successors are appointed.
[Amended 11-7-1989]
The Board of Selectmen shall appoint, under the provisions of
this Charter, a Tax Collector, who shall serve for an indefinite term.
Said Tax Collector shall have the powers and duties, not inconsistent
with the Charter, conferred or imposed by the Connecticut General
Statutes on such officers and such other powers and duties as may
be prescribed by the Board of Selectmen and local ordinances.
[Amended 11-7-1989; 11-4-2014]
The Board of Finance shall appoint an Assessor who shall be
qualified by training and experience and who shall serve for an indefinite
term. Said Assessor shall have all the powers and duties, not inconsistent
with this Charter, conferred or imposed by the Connecticut General
Statutes on assessors and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed
by the Board of Selectmen or by the Board of Finance.
[Amended 11-6-1984]
The Board of Selectmen shall, in accordance with the provisions
of Section 28-7 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, appoint
a local Director of Civil Preparedness, who shall serve a term of
two (2) years. Said Director shall have all the powers and duties,
not inconsistent with this Charter, conferred or imposed by said Connecticut
General Statutes on local Directors of Civil Preparedness and such
other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Selectmen.
A.Â
The Board of Selectmen shall, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 19a-200 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, appoint
a Director of Health, who shall serve for a term of four (4) years.
Quadrennially thereafter, the Board of Selectmen shall appoint said
Director of Health as provided herein. Said Director of Health shall
have all the powers and duties, not inconsistent with this Charter,
as conferred or imposed by said Connecticut General Statutes on local
Directors of Health and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed
by the Board of Selectmen and local ordinance.
[Amended 11-6-1984]
B.Â
The Director of Health shall appoint and may remove, each such action
with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, a Town Sanitarian who
shall serve for an indefinite term. Said Town Sanitarian shall have
all the powers and duties, not inconsistent with this Charter, conferred
or imposed by the Connecticut General Statutes on such officers and
such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Director
of Health or by the Board of Selectmen.
C.Â
The Director of Health, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen,
shall establish a health code for the Town of Bethel consisting of
the State Department of Health Sanitary Code and other provisions
or requirements which the above-named officers deem proper when said
code has been completed. Said code and amendments thereto shall be
enacted by town ordinance of either the Board of Selectmen or a legislative
authority of the town in a manner so described within this Charter.
[Amended 11-6-1984]
The Board of Selectmen shall, in accordance with this Charter
and the Connecticut General Statutes, appoint a Fire Marshal for a
term of four (4) years. The Board of Selectmen may appoint, for the
same terms, Deputy Fire Marshals. The Fire Marshal or his Deputy shall
have all the powers and duties, not inconsistent with this Charter,
conferred or imposed by the Connecticut General Statutes upon Fire
Marshals and such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by
the Board of Selectmen and local ordinance.
[Amended 11-6-1984]
The Board of Selectmen, at the beginning of its term, shall
appoint an attorney or attorneys to represent the town. Each such
attorney shall be admitted to practice law in this state and shall
serve a term of two (2) years. Except as otherwise provided by law,
he or they shall appear for and protect the rights of the town in
all actions, suits or proceedings brought by or against it or any
of its departments, offices, agencies, boards or commissions. He or
they shall be the legal advisors to the Board of Selectmen, First
Selectman and all town officers, boards and commissions in all matters
affecting the town and shall, upon written request, furnish a written
opinion on any question of law involving their respective powers and
duties. Upon request, he or they shall prepare or approve forms or
contracts or other instruments to which the town is a party or in
which it has an interest. He or they shall have the power, with the
approval of the Board of Selectmen, to appeal from orders, decisions
and judgments and, subject to the approval of said Selectmen, to compromise
or settle any claims by or against the town. If, in special circumstances,
the Board of Selectmen deems it advisable, said Board may, by resolution,
provide for the temporary employment of counsel other than or in addition
to the Town Attorneys.
[Amended 11-6-1984; 11-4-2003]
There shall be a Department of Public Works, which shall have
and encompass the powers and duties of the Town Water Department,
Town Department of Roads and Town Sewer Department and further powers
and duties as the Board of Selectmen may grant said Department. The
Board of Selectmen shall appoint a qualified person to be the Director
of the Department of Public Works, who may also serve as the Town
Engineer. Said Director shall be the administrative head of the Public
Works Department and as such shall be responsible for the efficiency,
discipline and good conduct of the public works operation of the town.
The Director of Public Works shall organize the public works operation
in such manner as he shall deem most economical and efficient.
[Amended 11-6-1984]
The Board of Selectmen shall appoint a qualified person or firm
to serve as Town Engineer. Such person or firm shall be licensed by
the State of Connecticut. He shall be advisor to all town offices,
boards and commissions in all engineering matters affecting the town.
The position of Town Engineer and the position of Director of the
Department of Public Works may be held by the same person.
[Amended 11-6-1984; 11-7-1989]
A.Â
The Board of Selectmen shall appoint a Building Official for a term
of four (4) years. Thereafter, the Board of Selectmen shall appoint
said Building Official every four (4) years as provided herein. The
office of the Building Official shall be a classified service position
subject to the terms, rights and privileges as set forth in Chapter
19 of the Code of the Town of Bethel entitled "Personnel Rules and
Regulations," as presently in force or subsequently amended, as well
as any applicable collective bargaining agreement. In the event that
the terms of Chapter 19 are in conflict or inconsistent with the Connecticut
General Statutes, the Connecticut General Statutes shall be controlling.
[Amended 11-4-2003]
B.Â
The Building Official shall be qualified, possess those powers and
administer his/her duties as prescribed by Chapter 541 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, as amended, and this Charter.
C.Â
The Building Official may also serve as the Enforcement Officer of
the Zoning Commission and shall have such other powers and duties
as may be prescribed by the Board of Selectmen and local ordinances.
[Added 11-6-1984]
A.Â
The provisions of the 1947 Special Act (House Bill No. 471), An Act
Concerning the Appointment of Police Commissioners and the Organization
of a Police Department in the Town and Village of Bethel, are hereby
incorporated herein and made a part of this Charter, with the following
exceptions:
(1)Â
The Board of Selectmen, after the submission of information or recommendations
from the Police Commission, shall be responsible for the hiring, suspension
or dismissal of the Chief of Police. Said Police Chief shall be the
chief administrative officer of the Police Department and shall be
responsible to the First Selectman for the operation of the department,
and for the implementation of the rules, regulations and policies
of the Police Commission.
(2)Â
Police officers need not be resident electors of the Town of Bethel.
B.Â
Any provisions of said special act inconsistent with any provision
of this Charter are hereby repealed pursuant to Section 7-188 of the
Connecticut General Statutes.
[Amended 11-7-1978; 11-6-1984]
A.Â
The Board of Selectmen, after submission of information and recommendation
from the Board of Finance, shall appoint a Comptroller whose powers
and duties are herein prescribed. Said Comptroller shall be appointed
for an indefinite term and shall be an Assistant Treasurer for the
town. Said Comptroller shall be a professional accountant or comptroller
and shall, by experience or education, have the necessary qualifications
for the position of Town Comptroller. Said Comptroller shall be under
the supervision of the First Selectman as the fiscal official of the
town.
B.Â
Powers and duties.
(1)Â
The Comptroller shall install, maintain and supervise the general
accounting system for all departments, offices, boards, committees,
commissions and agencies, except the Board of Education; prescribe
the form of accounts to be kept by each department, office, board,
committee, commission and agency of the town; keep separate accounts
for the appropriations contained in the budget and encumber immediately
with the amount of each purchase order, payroll or contract and maintain
for each account a record of the amounts paid and remaining unpaid,
all encumbrances and the unencumbered balance. The Comptroller shall
audit, before payment, all bills, invoices, payrolls and other evidence
of claims, demands or charges against the town.
[Amended 11-4-2003]
(2)Â
He shall compile for the Board of Selectmen estimates for the budget
and capital program and assist in the preparation of the annual budget
document and recommend to the Board of Selectmen changes in Department
programs and departmental estimates of revenue and expenditures; submit
monthly to the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance a financial
statement showing the amount of each appropriation and any transfers,
encumbrances and expenditures therefrom and such other fiscal data
as may be prescribed by the Board of Selectmen and/or the Board of
Finance; and prepare for the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance
periodic financial statements and reports of the town. The Comptroller
shall establish and supervise inventories wherever required.
C.Â
Purchasing authority.
(1)Â
The First Selectman and the Comptroller, acting in conjunction, shall
be the general purchasing authority of the town. All supplies, materials,
equipment and other commodities required by any department, office,
agency, board, committee or commission, except the Board of Education,
shall be purchased by the purchasing authority on written requisition
in such form and in such manner as the Board of Finance may prescribe,
signed by the head of the department, office, agency or Chairman of
the Board, committee or commission.
[Amended 11-4-2003]
(2)Â
All purchases shall be made in full compliance with this Charter.
(3)Â
No requisition for any purchase and no contract for public or other
service shall be valid unless it bears the endorsement of the Comptroller
or, in his absence, the endorsement of the First Selectman. The Comptroller
shall endorse a requisition or contract only after he has examined
the same and found that it conforms to the requirements of this section
and that there is a sufficient unencumbered balance on an applicable
appropriation to pay the same. If, by making any contract or purchase,
the budget allowance of the officer, department, commission, committee
or board requesting the same shall be exceeded, the purchasing authority
shall bring the request to the attention of the Board of Finance at
its next meeting, and the Board of Finance may authorize such contract
or purchase in accordance with and subject to the limitations of the
Connecticut General Statutes, this Charter or other laws pertaining
to this town.
(4)Â
(i)Â
All agreements and contracts to be made or let for supplies to be furnished or work to be done, including professional services, to the Town of Bethel, including purchases of every description for the needs of all departments, officers, boards and committees of the town, including the Board of Education, shall, except as otherwise provided hereinafter stated, be publicly advertised for the purpose of receiving bids, provided that the several parts of the work necessary to be done or supplies, materials or articles to be furnished in connection with said contract or purchase shall together involve the expenditure of more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). The procurement of professional services may be conducted through a Request for Qualifications procedure in which the Procurement Committee, as defined in C8-13c4ii, solicits professional service vendors by public advertisement to submit their qualifications, said Committee reviews such qualifications and thereafter invites vendors who are deemed to be qualified by the Procurement Committee to submit competitive fee proposals for the requested services. The provisions of this Section 8-13 shall not apply to the appointment of Town Attorneys by the Board of Selectmen as provided in Section 8-8.
[Amended 11-4-2003; 11-6-2007; 11-4-2014]
(ii)Â
Such advertisement shall invite bids for such agreements and
contracts in a newspaper having a daily circulation in the Town of
Bethel and, if deemed advisable, in other papers. The bids received
upon such public advertisement shall be publicly opened at a hearing
of the Procurement Committee, comprised of the First Selectman, the
Comptroller and Purchasing Agent, or their designee(s), or the Board
of Education when such bids pertain to agreements and contracts to
be entered into by said Board, the date of which shall be named in
such public advertisement. The Procurement Committee shall review
the bids and submit a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. The
contract or purchase shall be awarded to the lowest qualified bidder,
provided that the Board of Selectmen or the Board of Education, as
the case may be, shall have the discretion and power, in the public
interest and for public economy, to reject any or all bids.
[Amended 11-6-2007; 11-4-2014]
(iii)Â
Whenever it appears that the securing of such bids shall be
inconsistent with the public interest or the public economy, such
public advertisement and bids may be dispensed with upon vote of the
Board of Selectmen or the Board of Education, as the case may be,
which vote shall contain a written statement giving the reasons for
the proposed award of such contract or the marking of such purchase
without public advertisement, which resolution and reasons shall be
promptly filed with the Town Clerk and be available for public inspection.
In such case any expenditure to be made shall be made only with the
approval of the Board of Selectmen or the Board of Education, as the
case may be.
(iv)Â
Whenever any by-product or any other personal property of the
Town of Bethel shall be sold or required to be sold, such sale shall
be made, wherever practicable, to the highest bidder, after public
advertisement, as herein provided and subject to the procedure for
the waiver of the bidding process as set forth in Subparagraph (iii)
above.
[Amended 11-7-1989; 11-4-2003; 11-6-2007]
D.Â
Availability. The Comptroller shall be available to the Board of
Education for advice and consultation as to the said Board's
system and manner of fiscal accounting and shall perform periodic
internal reviews.
E.Â
The Comptroller shall direct and control the operations and activities
of the Tax Collector and the Data Processing Department, all in accordance
with this Charter and town ordinances.
[Amended 11-7-1989]
F.Â
Additional duties. From time to time, the Comptroller may be assigned
additional duties and responsibilities as may be determined by the
Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance.
G.Â
Removal. The Comptroller may be removed from office by the Board
of Selectmen for good cause, provided that such dismissal shall have
the approval of a majority of the full Board of Finance.
