In order to provide the most economical and efficient overall
direction, coordination and control of the day-to-day activities of
the Town of Rye, to provide centralized direction and control of Town
employees and to minimize the administration detail now handled by
the Supervisor and Council and free them for proper consideration
of policy matters, the position of Town Administrator for the Town
of Rye is hereby established pursuant to §§ 58 and
58-a of the Town Law.
The Town Administrator shall be a full-time position appointed
by the Town Council and shall remain in the position at the pleasure
of the Town Council. The position shall be an exempt position. Compensation
shall be fixed by the Town Council.
The Town Administrator shall report to and be under the supervision
of the Supervisor and Council. During the absence or inability of
the Town Administrator, the Town Council may designate any properly
qualified person to perform his or her duties.
Subject to the approval, direction and control of the Supervisor
and Council, or in those instances where approval, direction and control
is, by applicable law, reserved to the Supervisor, then under the
approval, direction and control of the Supervisor, and in accordance
with such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Council,
the Town Administrator shall:
A. Supervise and coordinate the activities of all Town departments.
B. Oversee and coordinate the work of all Town employees and implement
the personnel policies, rules and regulations of the Town.
C. Recommend to the Supervisor and Council the appointments, promotions
or dismissals of all Town employees in accordance with applicable
statutes. Represent, or supervise the representation of, the Town
in collective negotiations with employees.
D. When so designated by the Supervisor, prepare, as budget officer,
the tentative budget according to law.
E. Control expenditures within amounts appropriated in the budget by
enforcing administrative controls.
F. Report the financial condition of the Town to the Town Council regularly
and recommend needed action.
G. Supervise the process of purchasing all materials, supplies and equipment
and letting of all contracts.
H. Conduct a continuing study of all activities and functions of the
Town with a view to making recommendations from time to time to the
Supervisor and Council of measures and programs that would improve
the efficiency and effectiveness of Town government.
I. Maintain liaison with other governments and administrative agencies,
but not supplant the Supervisor or Council as official representatives
of the Town.
J. Oversee the response to inquiries by Town residents and other interested
persons concerning Town government operations and services.
K. Attend all meetings of the Town Council and provide information relevant
to agenda items and questions related thereto.
L. Serve as the public information officer of the Town.
M. Discharge such other duties and responsibilities as may, from time
to time, be assigned to him or her by the Town Council.
N. Represent the Town in all administrative proceedings.
O. Recommend the compensation for all personnel after consultation with
the Town Council.
Nothing herein shall be deemed or construed as abolishing, transferring
or curtailing any powers or duties of the Supervisor and Council.
The Town Council is hereby assigning and delegating certain administrative
powers to the Town Administrator. It is specifically the purpose of
this article to not transfer any powers of the Town Council or any
elected officer of the Town to the Town Administrator and for the
Town Council to have supervision and control of the Town Administrator.
All existing local laws of the Town and the duties of heads
of departments shall remain in full force and effect except insofar
as they conflict with the provisions of this article, in which case
the provisions of this article shall prevail.
The Town Council, by local law, may, at any time it deems appropriate, assign, modify or revoke the administrative powers and duties of the Town Administrator initially set forth in §
41-15 of this article.
The Town Administrator shall have the following qualifications:
A. Graduation from a recognized college or university with a master's
degree in public administration or related field; and/or
B. At least a total of three years' responsible supervisory or
administrative experience in a public agency.
All department heads are hereby directed to cooperate and assist
the Town Administrator and provide information to the Town Administrator
as he or she may request.
To the extent that the provisions of this article may be deemed
to be inconsistent with the general law as provided for in the Town
Law, the Town Council specifically invokes its supersession powers
pursuant to§ 10, Subdivision 1, Paragraph (ii)d(3), of the
Municipal Home Rule Law.