Appointments and promotions to all positions in the service
of the city shall be made solely on the basis of merit and only after
consideration of the applicant's ability in accordance with procedures
set forth in the Merit Plan.
[Amended 11-5-2005 by
election; 11-2-2021 by election]
There shall be a set of rules and regulations providing for
the establishment of a merit system of personnel administration known
as the "Merit Plan". The Merit Plan shall include provisions with
regard to classification, compensation, selection, training, promotion,
discipline, vacations, retirement and any other matters necessary
to the maintenance of efficient service and proper working conditions.
The Merit Plan and the classification plan adopted pursuant thereto
shall continue in force, subject to amendments submitted from time
to time by the Manager. The Manager shall submit any proposed amendments
to the Council as an item on a regular Council meeting agenda. The
Council shall within 60 days after having received the proposed amendments
take action to approve or disapprove them at a regular Council meeting.
The compensation of all officers and employees not fixed by
this Charter shall be fixed in the Merit Plan by a schedule of pay
which shall include a minimum and maximum and such intermediate rates
as may be deemed desirable for each class of position provided for
in said plan. In adopting the city budget, the Council shall not increase
or decrease any individual salary item but shall act solely with respect
to total salaries in the various departments of the city.
[Amended 9-25-1990, approved 11-6-1990 by election]
Except as hereinafter provided, no compensation shall be paid without certification by the Manager that the recipients are employed by the City, that their rates of compensation comply with pay schedules provided for in § C7-3, and that they worked the hours for which they are to receive compensation. Said certification may also be made by the head of the department within which each employee is employed. If such officer approves payments not in conformity therewith, they and their surety shall be liable for the amount of such payments.
[Amended 11-2-2021 by election]
The City shall provide such insurance as authorized by RSA 31:107,
in sufficient amounts as determined by the City Manager, to protect
its officials and employees from liability arising from any action
brought against them while in the performance of their official duties.
[Amended 11-2-2021 by election]
There is hereby established a Personnel Advisory Board of three citizens holding no other political office, who shall be appointed as follows: One member by the Manager, one by the council and the third by these two appointees. The terms of all members shall be for three years. It shall be the duty of the Personnel Advisory Board to study the broad problems of personnel policy and administration, to advise the Council concerning the personnel policies of the city and to advise the Manager regarding administration of the Merit Plan and to hear appeals from any employee aggrieved as to the status or condition of the employee's employment or retirement. The Board shall promptly issue written reports containing findings of facts and recommendations to the Manager upon such appeals, but the board shall have no power to reinstate an employee unless it finds, after investigation, that disciplinary action was taken against the employee without just cause. The term "employee" as used in this section shall not include department heads and officers of the city (conduct of elected officials and appointed members of boards and commissions shall be addressed by the Ethics Commission as set forth in § C11-4). Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting an appeal by an aggrieved employee to the court.
[Added 11-8-1983 by election,
effective 11-16-1983; amended 11-6-1984 by election]
All public safety employees shall be appointed and promoted consistent with the provisions of § C7-1 and shall at all times be employees of the city. "Public safety employees" shall be construed to mean those employees that provide police and fire protection.
