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.