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; establish such new town agencies
as is deemed necessary, provided, however, that 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
pursuant to this provision shall contain a proposed ordinance which
sets out, in detail, such amendments, insertions, revisions, repeals
or otherwise of existing ordinances as may be necessary to accomplish
the desired reorganization. Such reorganization plan and proposed
ordinance shall be accompanied by a message of the mayor which explains
the benefits expected to ensue
Whenever the mayor proposes such a plan the town council shall
hold one or more public hearings on the proposal giving notice by
publication in a local newspaper, which notice shall describe the
scope of the proposal and the time and place at which the public hearing
will be held, not less than seven or more than fourteen days following
said publication.
An organization or reorganization plan shall become effective
at the expiration of sixty days following the date the proposal is
submitted to the town council unless the town council shall, by a
majority vote, within such 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
said office or position of employment.