The organization of the City into operating agencies for the
provision of services and the administration of the government may
be accomplished through either of the methods provided in this article.
(a) Ordinances - Subject only to express prohibitions in a general law
or the provisions of this Charter, the City Council may, by ordinance,
reorganize, consolidate, create, merge, divide or abolish any City
agency, in whole or in part; establish such new City agencies as it
deems necessary or advisable; determine the manner of selection, the
term of office and prescribe the functions of all such entities; provided,
however, that no function assigned by this Charter to a particular
City agency may be discontinued, or assigned to any other City agency,
unless this Charter specifically so provides.
(b) Administrative Code - The Mayor may from time to time prepare and
submit to the City Council plans of organization or reorganization
which establish operating divisions for the orderly, efficient or
convenient conduct of the business of the City.
Whenever the Mayor proposes such a plan, the City Council shall
hold one or more public hearings on the proposal, giving notice by
publication in a local newspaper, which notice shall describe the
scope of the proposal and the time and place at which the hearing
will be held, not less than seven days nor more than 14 days following
said publication.
An organization or reorganization plan shall become effective
at the expiration of 60 days following the date the proposal is submitted
to the City Council unless the City Council shall, by a majority vote,
within such period vote to disapprove the plan. The City Council may
vote only to approve or to disapprove the plan and may not vote to
amend or to alter it.
The Mayor may, through the Administrative Code, and subject only to express prohibitions in a general law or this Charter, reorganize, consolidate or abolish any City agency, in whole or in part; establish such new City agencies as are deemed necessary to the same extent as is provided in Section
5-1(a), above, for ordinances; and for such purpose may transfer the duties and powers and, so far as is consistent with the use for which the funds were voted by the City, transfer the appropriation of one City agency to another; provided, however, that no function assigned by this Charter to a particular City agency may be discontinued or assigned to any other City agency unless this Charter specifically so provides.
For the convenience of the public, the Administrative Code and
any amendments to it shall be printed as an integral part of the ordinances
of the City of Beverly.
All appointments and promotions of City officers and employees
shall be made on the basis of merit and fitness demonstrated by examination,
past performance, or by other evidence of competence and suitability.
Each person appointed to fill an office or position shall be a person
especially fitted by education, training and previous work experience
to perform the duties of the office or position for which chosen.