The executive branch of the government of Ferguson Township shall be administered by an appointed Manager, hereafter known as the Township Manager who shall be the chief executive and administrative official of the Township government.
The Board of Supervisors shall appoint a Township Manager for an indefinite term and fix his compensation. The Manager shall be appointed solely on the bases of his executive and administrative qualifications, in the operation of local government. The Manager shall become a resident of the Township within 1 year of his appointment unless unanimous approval of the Board is received to the contrary. The Manager shall devote full time to the office of Manager except as may be provided by the Board through intergovernmental cooperative agreements with other municipalities.
The Township Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the Township. The Manager shall be responsible to the Board for the management of all Township affairs placed in the Manager's charge by or under this Charter.
1. 
The Manager shall appoint, suspend, or remove all Township employees except as provided by law or by this charter. The appointment, suspension or removal of all department heads is subject to the approval of the Board. In the event that a Civil Service Commission is established by the Administrative Code, then the Manager's right to appoint, suspend, or remove Township employees (other than department heads) shall be subject to the regulations and limitations of the Civil Service Commission. The Manager may authorize any employee who is subject to the Manager's direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates on that employee's department, office or agency.
2. 
The Manager, or any officer designated by the Manager, subject to the approval of the Board shall arrange to collect, receive, account for and deposit in the Township treasury all taxes, fees and assessments or other charges established by the Township. The Manager shall also be empowered to collect all county, school, institution district, and other taxes levied within the Township by authorities empowered to levy taxes.
3. 
The Manager shall direct and supervise the management of all departments, offices and agencies except as otherwise provided by law or by this Charter.
4. 
The Manager shall participate in all meetings of the Board, but may not vote.
5. 
The Manager shall prepare and submit the annual budget and capital program to the Board.
6. 
The Manager shall prepare in a form suitable for publication within 90 days after the close of the fiscal year, a report on the finances and the administrative activities of the Township.
7. 
The Manager shall make other reports required by the Board concerning the operation of the Township offices, departments and agencies which are subject to the Manager's supervision.
8. 
The Manager shall have authority to preserve order in the Township.
9. 
The Manager shall have the authority to enforce the ordinances and regulations of the Township.
10. 
The Manager shall have the authority to represent the Township in deliberations with other governmental bodies.
11. 
The Manager shall have the authority, subject to the approval of the Board, to negotiate intergovernmental agreements in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth.
12. 
The Manager shall have the authority, as established by the Board, to exercise emergency powers due to natural disasters or violent actions.
13. 
The Manager shall perform any additional duties specified by the Board or by the Charter.
14. 
The Manager shall assure that the laws of the State relating to the affairs and government of the Township are duly executed and enforced within the municipality.
15. 
The Manager shall have all necessary incidental powers to perform and exercise any of the duties and functions as set forth in this Chapter or lawfully delegated to the Manager.
(As amended by Ord. 367, 7/26/1988, 51(F & G); and by Res. 2004-25, 7/6/2004)
The Board may remove the Manager from office in accordance with the following procedures:
1. 
The Board, by a majority vote of all members, shall adopt a preliminary resolution stating cause for removal and providing for a period of suspension not exceeding 45 days. A copy of the resolution shall be promptly delivered to the Manager. During the period of suspension, the Manager shall receive his/ her regular salary.
2. 
Within 5 days after receipt of the resolution, the Manager may file a written request to the Board for a public hearing. If a written request for public hearing is timely made, the Board shall schedule and hold a public hearing not earlier than 15 days nor more than 30 days from the date upon which the request is received.
3. 
If a written request for public hearing is not timely made, the Board, by affirmative vote of a majority of all members, may adopt a final resolution of removal of the Manager, to be effective immediately.
4. 
If a request for public hearing is timely made and the hearing is held, the Board, by affirmative vote of a majority of all members, upon cause found at the public hearing, may adopt a final resolution of removal of the Manager, to be effective immediately.
5. 
In the event of removal of the Manager, the Manager shall be compensated at his regular rate of pay for 90 days from the effective date of the final resolution of removal; provided, however, in the event that the Manager has been convicted of a crime, an element of which is mens rea, then the Manager shall not be entitled to compensation from the date of conviction onward.
(As amended by Ord. 367, 7/26/1988, 41H; and by Res. 2004-25, 7/6/2004)
The Board shall not direct or request the Manager to appoint or remove from employment any employee of the Township. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the Board shall deal with the Township departments and employees solely through the Manager, and shall not give orders to any subordinates of the Manager, either publicly or privately.
The Manager shall devote full time to the office, and hold no other elective or appointive office or municipal employment in which he receives salary, compensation or emolument, except as specifically approved by the Board.