Town of Bethel, ME Article III Town Manager

§ 5-16 Qualifications.

The Town Manager shall be appointed by the Selectmen solely on the basis of character and executive and administrative qualifications, with special reference to actual experience in, or knowledge of, the accepted practice in respect to the duties of the office of Town Manager.

§ 5-17 Powers and duties.

A. The Town Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the Town and be the controlling authority for all Town employees, facilities, property and equipment. The Town Manager shall be responsible to the Selectmen for the proper administration of all affairs of the Town.

B. The Town Manager, upon appointment, shall automatically assume the positions of Road Commissioner, Tax Collector, Treasurer, and Welfare Director and may designate one or more deputies for the execution of duties associated with these positions.

C. The Town Manager shall attend all meetings of the Selectmen, unless excused, and keep the Selectmen advised of the financial condition of the Town. The Town Manager shall have the right to take part in Board discussions and to make recommendations as may be requested or seem desirable. However, the Town Manager shall not vote in Board proceedings.

D. The Town Manager shall prepare and submit to the Selectmen such reports and perform such duties as the Selectmen may require.

E. The Town Manager shall see that all laws, ordinances of the Town, and policies of the Selectmen are faithfully observed and executed.

F. The Town Manager shall assist, insofar as possible, Bethel residents and taxpayers in discovering their lawful remedies in cases involving complaints of unfair vendor, administrative, and governmental practices.

G. The Town Manager shall make application for state, federal and other aid grants for the benefit of the Town, upon approval by the Selectmen.

§ 5-18 Personnel.

A. The Town Manager shall have the power to hire, appoint, remove, reassign and discipline all employees of the Town in accordance with provisions of the Town Personnel Policy, except as he/she may authorize the head of a department to hire, appoint, remove, reassign and discipline subordinates in such department. A removal action by the Town Manager may be appealed to the Board of Selectmen in accordance with provisions of the Personnel Policy.

B. The Town Manager shall have the power to overturn, reverse, modify, or amend any action taken by an employee of the Town, insofar as the law, or ordinance, may permit.

§ 5-19 Purchasing agent.

A. The Town Manager shall be the purchasing agent for the Town in all procurements, acquisitions and contracts and other agreements entered into by the Town. The Town Manager may appoint, in writing, deputy purchasing agents for specific types of expenditures.

B. The Town Manager shall ensure that a competitive process for solicitation of bids, quotes or proposals is followed for any transaction in excess of $10,000 in value, except by order of the Selectmen.

[Amended 6-14-2006]

§ 5-20 Annual budget and capital plan.

A. Within five days following the first regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen in March, the Town Manager shall propose to the Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee a comprehensive municipal operating budget and capital plan for the coming fiscal year.

[Amended 6-14-2006]

B. The Town Manager shall be accountable to the Selectmen for proper administration of the municipal budget upon its adoption.

C. Not later than the first regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen in June of each year, the Town Manager shall propose to the Board of Selectmen comprehensive operating budgets and capital plans for the Wastewater Treatment Department and Airport Department for the coming fiscal year.

[Amended 6-14-2006]

D. The Town Manager shall be accountable to the Selectmen for proper administration of the wastewater treatment and airport budgets upon their adoption.