4-1-1 
Appointments and qualifications
The select board shall by majority vote of the entire select board appoint a town manager. The method of selection shall be left to the discretion of the select board so long as the method of selection ensures orderly, nonpartisan action toward securing a competent and qualified person to fill the position. The town manager shall be chosen solely upon the basis of the individual's administrative training, education, experience and ability and need not, when appointed, be a resident of the town; provided, however, that the town manager shall establish such residence within 12 months following the effective date of appointment; provided further, that the select board may, by a 2/3 vote of the entire board, extend to a time certain the time for establishing residence or waiving this requirement.
4-1-2 
Compensation
The town manager shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the select board within the amount appropriated by town meeting and according to the town manager's expertise, education and training. Any contract between the select board and the town manager shall be made consistent with section 108N of chapter 41 of the General Laws.
4-1-3 
Term and Removal
The town manager may be appointed for a definite term, but may be removed at the discretion of the select board by majority vote of the entire select board. The action of the select board in suspending or removing the town manager shall be final. It is the intention of this charter to invest all authority and fix all responsibilities of such suspension or removal in the select board.
4-1-4 
Powers and duties
The town manager shall be responsible to the select board for the proper administration of the affairs of the town consistent with the General Laws and this charter, and shall:
(a) 
appoint for a term of years or, at the town manager's discretion, for an unlimited period, all town employees, including civil service positions, not otherwise addressed herein, but excluding employees of the school department; provided, however, that the town manager shall:
(i) 
act upon recommendations from the police chief and the fire chief, respectively, for appointment of employees of the police and fire departments;
(ii) 
consult with the appropriate department head or multiple-member body for appointment of employees of other departments or multiple-member bodies;
(b) 
supervise, discipline, suspend or remove all appointed department heads and employees and organize and structure all town departments accordingly, except as otherwise provided in section 3;
(c) 
administer and enforce the General Laws and special acts and all by-laws and regulations established by the select board;
(d) 
coordinate activities of all town departments;
(e) 
attend all sessions of the town meeting and answer all questions addressed to the town manager which are related to the warrant articles and to matters under the general supervision of the town manager;
(f) 
keep the select board fully informed as to the needs of the town and recommend to the select board for adoption such measures requiring action by the select board or by the town as the town manager deems necessary or expedient;
(g) 
ensure that complete and full records of the financial and administrative activity of the town are maintained and render reports to the select board as may be required;
(h) 
be responsible for the rental, use, maintenance, repair and the development of a comprehensive maintenance program for all town facilities;
(i) 
serve as the chief procurement officer for purposes of chapter 30B of the General Laws and be responsible for the purchase of all supplies, materials and equipment, approve the award and execute all such contracts; provided, however, that any contract over $1,000,000, or such higher amount as shall be approved by the select board from time to time, shall require approval by the select board;
(j) 
develop and maintain a formal and complete inventory of all town-owned real and personal property and equipment;
(k) 
propose personnel policies for approval by the select board under section 3-2-10 and administer all personnel policies, practices, rules and regulations, any compensation plan and any related matters for all municipal employees and administer all collective bargaining agreements entered into by the town;
(l) 
fix the compensation of all town employees and officers appointed by the town manager within the limits established by appropriation and any applicable compensation plan and collective bargaining agreements;
(m) 
be responsible for the negotiation of all contracts with town employees regarding wages and other terms and conditions of employment, except employees of the school department. The town manager may, subject to the approval of the select board, employ special counsel to assist in the performance of these duties; provided, however, collective bargaining agreements shall be subject to the approval of the select board in accordance with chapter 150E of the General Laws;
(n) 
be responsible for the preparation and development of the financial forecast, annual operating and capital budgets and 5-year capital improvement plan, consistent with policy guidance provided by the select board, and prepare and submit to the select board and finance committee such budget and plan, and be responsible for the administration of such budget and plan after their adoption;
(o) 
keep the select board and the finance committee fully informed as to the financial condition of the town and make recommendations to the select board;
(p) 
investigate or inquire into the affairs of any town department or office;
(q) 
have full authority to act on behalf of the town during emergencies, including the direction of town personnel, declaring states of emergency, opening the emergency operations center and shelters and the emergency expenditure of funds, and to delegate such responsibility by appointing an emergency management director, who shall be a town employee duly trained in public safety, and a deputy emergency management director to assist the emergency management director and to assume the duties of the emergency management director in the director's absence;
(r) 
delegate, authorize or direct any subordinate or employee in the town, including an assistant town manager, if any, and subject to funding therefor, to exercise any power, duty or responsibility that the office of town manager may exercise; provided, however, that all acts performed under such delegation shall be deemed to be the acts of the town manager; and
(s) 
perform such other duties as necessary or as may be assigned by this charter, by-law, town meeting vote or vote of the select board.
4-1-5 
Acting town manager
The town manager shall appoint as acting town manager a town employee who shall perform the duties of the town manager in the town manager's absence; provided, however, that if there is an assistant town manager serving at the time of any such absence, such person may function as the acting town manager. In the event of long-term disability or absence exceeding 14 days, or the resignation, termination or vacancy in the office of town manager, the select board shall not later than 14 days thereafter, appoint an acting town manager for the duration of any such disability or absence or until appointment of a permanent town manager. No member of the select board shall serve as acting town manager.
4-2-1 
The select board shall appoint a competent and duly qualified and licensed attorney practicing in the commonwealth to be the counsel for the town. Town counsel shall receive such compensation for services as may be fixed by the select board and shall hold office at the pleasure of the select board. The town counsel shall be the legal adviser of all offices and departments of the town and shall represent the town in all litigation and other legal proceedings; provided however, that the select board may retain special counsel at any time the select board deems appropriate and necessary. The town counsel shall review and concur or dissent upon all documents, contracts and legal instruments in which the town may have an interest. The town counsel shall perform other duties prescribed by this charter, by by-law or as directed by the select board. No employee, committee or board, elected or appointed, other than the select board, shall contact or otherwise interact with the town, labor or other special counsel in a manner inconsistent with the policy relative to access to counsel established by the select board. This section shall not limit the school committee from retaining its own legal counsel.
4-3-1 
Except as otherwise provided in this charter, there shall be a fire department consistent with sections 42, 43 and 44 of chapter 48 of the General Laws. The fire chief shall have responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of firefighters and the fire department. The fire chief shall have additional authority to place a firefighter on administrative leave with pay, or discipline or suspend a firefighter, for a period of no more than 5 days and shall provide the town manager with written notification upon implementation of such suspension. When the town manager intends to take action under clause (b) of subsection 4-1-4 of section 1 with respect to subordinate members of the fire department, the town manager shall consult with the fire chief before taking such action.
4-3-2 
Except as otherwise provided in this charter, there shall be a police department consistent with section 97A of chapter 41 of the General Laws. The police chief shall have responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of police officers and the police department. The police chief shall have additional authority to place a police officer on administrative leave with pay, or discipline or suspend a police officer, for a period of no more than 5 days and shall provide the town manager with written notification upon implementation of such suspension. When the town manager intends to takes action under clause (b) of subsection 4-1-4 of section 1 with respect to subordinate members of the police department, the town manager shall consult with the police chief before taking such action.
4-3-3 
Water Department
(a) 
There shall be a water department under the supervision of a water superintendent. The department shall have all of the powers, rights and duties to be exercised by a water commission under the General Laws and special laws, except as otherwise provided herein. The water superintendent shall be responsible for the efficient exercise, performance and coordination of the department. Any exercise by the department of the authority of water commissioners with respect to acquisition or disposition of land shall be approved by the select board prior to any such acquisition or disposition of land. The superintendent shall report to the town manager as to the doings of the office at such times as the town manager may require.
(b) 
The water superintendent shall supervise and direct the operations and employees of the department in accordance with the town's personnel by- laws and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. The water superintendent shall be especially qualified by education, training and experience to perform the duties of the office and shall have such other qualifications as may be required from time to time. While employed by the town, the water superintendent shall not engage in a business or occupation falling within the jurisdiction of the water department, unless approved in advance by the town manager with the concurrence of the select board. Unless specifically provided in the General Laws, the water superintendent shall not hold any other position in town government, whether appointed or elected, paid or unpaid, that is created by the select board or town meeting; provided, however, that serving in an ex officio capacity shall not be considered a separate position for purposes of this subparagraph. Service as a representative from the town to a governmental body other than the town shall not be prohibited by this subparagraph. The water superintendent need not be a resident of the town during their tenure.
(c) 
There shall be a water commission consisting of 3 members to be appointed by the select board for alternating, overlapping 3-year terms. The commission shall be responsible for setting water rates, making budget recommendations and providing advice and support to the superintendent with respect to other policy matters on which the commission may be consulted and which falls within the jurisdiction of the water department. The water commission shall recommend priorities and policies to govern the provision of water in the town, and, with the concurrence of the water superintendent, may adopt policies and regulations to carry out the same.