The Town Administrator shall be the chief administrative officer of the Town. He shall be qualified to hold office by previous experience, education or training. He shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Selectmen; however, four Selectmen must cast a vote for his removal for him to be discharged from his position. His remuneration shall be established by said Board and approved by Town Meeting. If he is not a resident of the Town he shall be required to establish residence within one year from the date of his appointment. He shall devote full time to the office and shall not hold any other public office nor engage in any other business or occupation unless such action is approved by the Board of Selectmen.
A. 
Appointments.
(1) 
Subject to the approval of the Selectmen, the Town Administrator shall appoint and remove incumbents of the following positions, and he shall be their supervisor.
[Amended by Acts of 1987, Ch. 562]
Position
Term of Appointment
(years)
Chief of Police
1
Fire Chief/Forest Warden
3
Superintendent of Public Works
3
Animal Control Officer
1
Wiring Inspector
1
Gas Inspector
1
Building Inspector
1
Assistant Building Inspector
1
Civil Defense Director
1
Civil Defense Communications Officer
1
(2) 
All offices under supervision of the Town Administrator shall have the powers and duties contained in the General Laws, the Town bylaws and this Charter. The authority to appoint, remove and supervise employees exercised by persons subordinate to the Town Administrator shall be considered a delegation of his authority, and he shall have the power of final approval of their exercise of that authority.
B. 
He shall prepare and present to the Selectmen for their approval the annual budgets for all departments and offices under his supervision.
C. 
He shall keep the Board of Selectmen fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the Town, and make such recommendations to the Board concerning any affairs of the Town as he deems advisable.
D. 
As specified by the Board of Selectmen, he shall participate in the preparation of the annual budgets of the departments under its control.
E. 
Except for schools, he shall develop and maintain an inventory of Town-owned real estate facilities and equipment.
F. 
He shall receive and answer complaints and refer complaints to the proper department for attention. When he deems it advisable he shall make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen concerning the disposition of complaints.
G. 
He shall assign space and time in Town Hall for temporary use by persons and groups he decides have a legitimate purpose for said use.
H. 
He shall supervise the purchase of all supplies, materials, and equipment for all departments except for schools and the library.
I. 
As specified by the Board of Selectmen he shall act as its representative in relations with labor unions that represent, or seek to represent Town employees.
J. 
He shall keep informed about, and at the instruction of the Board of Selectmen, he shall work to obtain, resources from federal, state and other government jurisdictions that further Town purposes.
K. 
He shall supervise the preparation of the Annual Town Report and such other reports as the Board of Selectmen may require from time to time.
L. 
He shall have general supervision of the employees in the Selectmen's office and the custodian of Town Hall, and he shall supervise the organization, systems, practices, routines and records of said office. He shall prepare and recommend a budget for the Selectmen's office and submit it to them for their approval.
M. 
He shall attend all regular and special meetings of the Board of Selectmen, unless excused, and shall have a voice but no vote in its discussion.
N. 
He shall perform other duties consistent with his office as may be required of him by the Selectmen.
By letter filed with the Town Clerk, the Town Administrator shall designate a qualified Town administrative employee or officer to exercise his powers and perform his duties in his absence. For absences of less than 30 days, the Acting Town Administrator shall have such authority and perform such duties as the Board of Selectmen and the Town Administrator decide upon. If the Town Administrator is absent for 30 days or more, and if the Selectmen have not made other arrangements, the Acting Town Administrator shall assume full authority for the office and perform duties that are specified by this Charter, by Town bylaw and that may be assigned him by the Board of Selectmen.