[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Skippack 6-22-1988 by Ord. No. 140. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Officers and employees — See Ch. 37.
The purpose of this chapter is to enable the township to function under generally accepted principles of a Manager form of government. The Board of Supervisors shall be responsible for legislative policy making and appointing a professional Township Manager who shall be responsible for supervising and conducting the administrative affairs of the township, as well as carrying out all policies and programs established by the Board. It is the intent of this chapter to delegate to the Township Manager all of the nonlegislative powers and duties of the Board of Supervisors hereinafter set forth as authorized by Section 599.1 of the Second Class Township Code, Act of May 1, 1933, P.L. 103, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 66301.
The Board of Supervisors of Skippack Township hereby creates the position of Township Manager and assigns thereto the following rights, duties, obligations and conditions.
The Manager shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Board of Supervisors. The Manager shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and may be removed at any time by a majority vote of said Board of Supervisors. In the event of intention of removal, the Supervisors will furnish the Township Manager with a written statement at least 30 days before such removal becomes effective. When a vacancy occurs in the office of Township Manager by reason of death, resignation or removal by the Board of Supervisors, the Board shall appoint a suitable person to hold the office in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
The Manager shall be selected on the basis of executive and administrative abilities, related experience, education and performance, with particular reference to the duties of the office as hereinafter outlined. The Township Manager need not be a resident of Skippack Township.
Before entering upon his duties and continuously thereafter, the Manager shall provide a bond to the township with a bonding company, to be approved by the Board of Supervisors, as surety, in the sum of $100,000, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties. The premium for said bond will be paid by the township from the general fund.
The salary of the Township Manager shall be fixed at the time of employment and may be adjusted from time to time by a resolution passed by a majority vote of the Board.
A. 
The Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the township and shall be responsible to the Board of Supervisors for the proper and efficient administration of the affairs of the township. The powers and duties of administration of all township business and enforcement of all township ordinances and regulations shall be vested in the Manager, unless imposed or conferred by statute or ordinance upon other township officials.
B. 
Subject to recall by ordinance of the Board of Supervisors, the powers and duties of the Township Manager shall include the following:
(1) 
The supervision and the responsibility for the activities of all municipal departments and township employees.
(2) 
Subject to the approval and confirmation of the Board of Supervisors, the Township Manager shall have the authority to hire and, when necessary for the good of the township, shall provide for the reprimand, discipline, suspension, removal, discharge or reduction in rank or position of any employee under his supervision and report such activities to the Board of Supervisors on a regular basis. With regard to the employment of department heads, including but not limited to the Building Inspector and Highway Superintendent, such action shall only be taken with the advice and consent of the Board of Supervisors. The Township Manager shall exercise no powers with regard to the employment of the Township Engineer or Township Solicitor.
[Amended 12-28-1994 by Ord. No. 140-A]
(3) 
The power to fix wages and salaries of all personnel under his supervision, subject to the approval and confirmation of the Board of Supervisors.
[Amended 12-28-1994 by Ord. No. 140-A]
(4) 
The preparation of and submission to the Board of Supervisors, before October 31 of each year, or such other time as the Board of Supervisors shall determine, a recommended budget for the next calendar year. In preparing the recommended budget, the Township Manager shall estimate projected revenues, establish budgetary guidelines and shall obtain budget estimates accordingly. He shall review all budget estimates before submittal and recommendation to the Board.
(5) 
The responsibility for the administration of the budget after its adoption by the Board of Supervisors.
(6) 
The development of long-range fiscal plans for the township, which plans shall be presented annually to the Board of Supervisors for its review and adoption.
(7) 
The holding of such other municipal offices as the Board of Supervisors may from time to time direct.
(8) 
Attendance at all meetings of the Board of Supervisors and meetings of its committees when directed to do so by the Board of Supervisors, with the right to take part in the discussion. The Manager shall receive notice of all special meetings of the Board of Supervisors or its committees.
(9) 
The preparation of the agenda for each meeting of the Board of Supervisors and to supply facts pertinent thereto.
(10) 
Informing the Board of Supervisors of the conduct of the township affairs, submitting periodic reports on the condition of the township finances and such other reports as the Board of Supervisors requests and making such recommendations to the Board of Supervisors as deemed necessary.
(11) 
Submitting to the Board of Supervisors, as soon as possible after the close of the fiscal year, a complete report on the financial and administrative activities of the township for the preceding year.
(12) 
Enforcing the provisions of all franchises, leases, permits and privileges granted by the township.
(13) 
Employing, with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, experts or consultants to perform work and to advise in connection with any of the functions of the township.
(14) 
Attending to the letting of contracts in due form of law and supervising the performance and faithful execution of the same except insofar as such duties are expressly imposed upon some other township officer by statute.
(15) 
Collecting all money owed the township and instituting proper proceedings for the security and for the collection of all the township's claims.
(16) 
Acting as the purchasing officer of the township and purchasing in accordance with the provisions of the Township Code[1] all supplies and equipment for the various agencies, boards, departments and other offices of the township. The Manager shall keep an account of all purchases and shall, from time to time or when directed by the Board of Supervisors, make a full written report thereof. The Manager shall also issue rules and regulations subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors, governing the requisition and purchasing of all municipal supplies and equipment. These duties may also be delegated to any other officer of the township upon the approval of the Board of Supervisors.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 65101 et seq.
(17) 
Receiving and acting on all complaints regarding services or personnel of the township. The Manager shall investigate and dispose of such complaints and shall report thereon to the Board of Supervisors when deemed necessary.
(18) 
Researching and investigating the administrative and governmental functions of the various townships and making recommendations to the Board of appropriate ordinances affecting the health, safety, welfare and administration of this township.
(19) 
Declaring a local disaster emergency pursuant to statute, subject to ratification thereof by the Board of Supervisors within 48 hours thereof.
(20) 
Serving as Secretary of the township.
C. 
The Township Manager shall perform such other duties and responsibilities as are designated by the Board of Supervisors.
Neither the Board of Supervisors nor its members shall dictate or attempt to dictate the hiring of any person to, or his discharge from, municipal employment by the Manager, or in any manner take part in the hiring, reprimanding, disciplining, suspending or discharging of employees of the township. Further, the Board of Supervisors or any of its members shall make all requests, inquiries, suggestions and give orders through the office of the Manager.
If the Manager becomes ill or needs to be absent from the township, he shall designate one qualified member of his staff to perform during his absence or disability. The person so designated shall perform these duties until the next meeting held by the Board of Supervisors, at which time the Board of Supervisors shall appoint or ratify an acting Township Manager.