8-1-1.
There shall be a department of municipal finance that shall be responsible
for the coordination of all financial services and activities of the
town, the maintenance of all accounting records and other financial
statements, payment of all obligations, receipt of all funds due,
monitoring of and reporting on all fiscal and financial activities
of the town, supervision of all purchases of goods, materials and
supplies and maintenance of inventory controls. The department shall
include the offices and functions of the town accountant, town treasurer,
tax collector and board of assessors; provided, however, that although
the offices of the town treasurer, tax collector and board of assessors
shall be part of the department of municipal finance, such officers
shall continue to exercise their respective duties and responsibilities
under the General Laws, except as otherwise provided in this charter.
The department shall have such additional powers, duties and responsibilities
with respect to municipal finance-related functions and activities
as the town may provide by town by-law.
8-1-2.
Finance Director. The department of municipal finance shall be under the direct control and supervision of a director of municipal finance who shall be appointed by the town administrator, after consultation with the select board, and whose salary shall be fixed annually within the amount appropriated by the town. The appointment, and any discipline, suspension or removal of said finance director shall be undertaken under clause (i) of section 6-2-1.
8-1-3.
Finance Director, Qualifications. The director of municipal finance
shall be a person especially fitted by education, experience and training
to perform the duties of the office. The educational qualifications
shall consist of a master's degree in finance, accounting or
public or business administration, granted by an accredited degree-granting
college or university, and professional qualifications shall include
not less than 3 years of prior full-time compensated service in accounting
or business administration or 5 years or more of such professional
experience and a bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline.
At the request of the town administrator, the select board may waive
the education or experience requirements listed if the board determines
that an applicant's qualifications provide an equivalent combination
of education and experience and that such waiver is in the best interests
of the town.
The salary, fringe benefits and other conditions of employment
of the director of municipal finance, including but not limited to,
severance pay, relocation expenses, reimbursement for expenses incurred
in the performance of the duties of office, liability insurance, conditions
of discipline, termination, dismissal and reappointment, performance
standards and leave may be established by contract.
8-1-4.
Finance Director, Duties and Responsibilities. The director of municipal
finance shall be responsible for the supervision and coordination
of all financial personnel, tasks and activities of the department
under this charter, General Laws, town by-laws and any applicable
rules and regulations. The director of municipal finance may serve
as the town accountant and shall be responsible for coordinating the
fiscal management procedures of the offices of the town treasurer,
tax collector and board of assessors and shall be the administrator
of budgeting, including financial reporting, accountability and control,
as well as an advisor to the select board, town administrator, finance
and warrant commission and all other town departments, concerning
financial and programmatic implications of current and future financial
policies. The director of municipal finance shall provide such assistance
to the town administrator as the town administrator shall request
with regard to the preparation of the town budget and capital plan
and have such additional duties and responsibilities with regard thereto
under clause (xiv) of section 6-2-1 and chapter 9.
8-2-1.
Department of Public Works. There shall be a department of public
works, as established by chapter 140 of the acts of 1992, with the
powers, duties and responsibilities under said chapter 140, as amended
from time to time.
8-2-2.
Fire Department. There shall be a fire department in accordance with
the terms in this charter and the general bylaws and in accordance
with chapter 149 of the acts of 2015.
8-2-3.
Police Department. There shall be a police department, as established
by vote of the March 12, 1951 town meeting accepting chapter 595 of
the acts of 1948, now codified as section 97A of chapter 41 of the
General Laws, with the powers, duties and responsibilities under said
section 97A of said chapter 41.
