The town council shall employ the town manager by contract for a fixed term not to exceed five (5) years. The manager shall be appointed on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications. The manager need not be a resident of the town or state at the time of the appointment but may reside outside the town while in office only with the approval of the council. No councilor shall receive such appointment during the term for which the councilor shall have been elected, nor within one (1) year after the expiration of the term, nor shall any member of the town council act in that capacity.
The town manager may be removed during a contract period for cause by a two thirds (2/3) vote of the council members present, after notice and hearing.
The town manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the town. The manager shall be responsible to the town council for the administration of all town affairs placed in the manager's charge by or under this Charter. The manager shall:
(1) 
Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the town, except as otherwise provided by this Charter or by law.
(2) 
Attend council meetings, except when the manager's removal is being considered, and shall have the right to take part in discussions but may not vote.
(3) 
See that all laws, provisions of this charter, and acts of the council, subject to enforcement by the manager or by officers subject to the manager's direction and supervision, are faithfully executed.
(4) 
Prepare and submit the annual budget and capital program to the council.
(5) 
Submit to the council and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the town as of the end of each fiscal year.
(6) 
Make such other reports as the council may require concerning the operations of town departments, offices, and agencies subject to the manager's direction and supervision.
(7) 
Keep the council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the town and make such recommendations to the council concerning the affairs of the town as the manager deems desirable.
(8) 
Prepare an administrative code or amendments to an existing administrative code as required, to be proposed to the council, and the council may by ordinance adopt them with or without amendment.
(9) 
Act as purchasing agent for all departments of the town, except the department of education. The manager may also act as purchasing agent for the department of education, if the town council deems it advisable by a majority vote of the council members present.
(10) 
Perform such other duties as specified in this Charter or may be required by the council.
By letter filed with the town clerk the manager shall designate, subject to approval of the town council, a qualified town administrative officer to exercise the powers and perform the duties of manager during a prolonged period of time when the manager expects to be unreachable or during a disability. During such unreachable status or disability, the council may revoke such designation at any time and appoint another officer of the town to serve until the manager shall return or the manager's disability shall cease. In the event of failure of the manager to make such designation, the council may by resolution appoint any administrative officer of the town to perform the duties of the manager until the manager shall return or the disability shall cease.