The text
Sec. 301. - Appointment and qualifications.#
The town council shall appoint a town administrator for an indefinite period of time, based solely upon the executive and administrative qualifications of the applicant, as outlined by generally accepted professional standards. The town administrator need not be a resident of the town or state at the time of appointment, but must become and remain a qualified elector and resident of the state within twelve months after appointment, unless an extension is approved by town council. The relationship between the town and the town administrator shall be contractual and not that between a municipality and a civil officer.
(Amend. of 11-5-2002, § III; Amend. of 11-3-2009, prop. 6; Amend. of 11-8-2016; Amend. of 11-5-2024)
Sec. 302. - Removal.#
The town administrator at any time may be removed by a majority vote of all the members of the town council according to the following procedure. At least 30 days before such removal shall become effective, the town council shall by a majority vote of all its members adopt a preliminary resolution stating the reasons for removal. The town administrator may reply in writing, and may request an opportunity to be heard at a meeting of the town council. Such request must be made within ten days of the date of the preliminary resolution. Such meeting shall be held before the town council no later than ten days following the date of the request. After full consideration of the town administrator's written reply, if any, and of the results of the meeting, if one is requested, the town council may adopt a final resolution of removal. By the preliminary resolution, the town council may suspend the town administrator from duty, but in any case the town administrator shall be paid full salary for the period commencing with the date of the preliminary resolution and for two calendar months following the adoption of the final resolution.
(Amend. of 11-5-2002, § III)
Sec. 303. - Absence.#
The town administrator with town council approval may designate by letter filed with the town clerk a qualified administrative officer to perform the duties of the office during a temporary absence or disability. In the event of failure of the town administrator to make such designation, the town council may appoint a qualified administrative officer to perform the duties of the town administrator until the town administrator shall return or no longer be disabled.
(Amend. of 11-5-2002, § III)
Sec. 304. - Vacancy.#
Whenever the office of town administrator shall be declared vacant by the town council, an interim town administrator shall be elected by a majority vote of the town council. The interim town administrator shall have all the duties and powers of the town administrator, except that the interim town administrator shall not serve longer than six months, and may be summarily removed by majority vote of the town council without charges or a hearing. Nothing shall prevent an interim town administrator from applying to be appointed town administrator.
(Amend. of 11-5-2002, § III)
Sec. 305. - Powers and duties of the town administrator.#
The town administrator shall be the chief administrative officer of the town and shall be responsible to the town council for the administration of all town affairs assigned to that office by or under this Charter. The town administrator shall have the following powers and duties: (1)
To nominate all department heads and other officers provided for in this Charter, or established by ordinance, whose nomination or election is not otherwise provided for; all such nominations are subject to approval by the town council. The town administrator shall have the authority to remove, with the approval of the town council, any department head or official the town administrator nominated pursuant to the provisions of this section;
(2)
To direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the town except as otherwise provided by this Charter or by law;
(3)
To see that all laws, provisions of this Charter and acts of the town council, subject to enforcement by the town administrator or by officers subject to the town administrator's direction and supervision, are faithfully executed;
(4)
To prepare and submit the annual budget and capital program to the town council;
(5)
To submit to the town 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)
To make such other reports as the town council may require concerning the operations of town departments, offices and agencies subject to the town administrator's direction and supervision;
(7)
To keep the town council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the town and make such recommendations to the town council concerning the affairs of the town as the town administrator deems desirable;
(8)
To perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter or may be required by the town council.
(Amend. of 11-3-1992, § VII; Amend. of 11-5-2002, § III)