The text
Footnotes:
--- (3) --- Editor's note— At the direction of the town, the numbering style of Article 3 was made to conform with the style of the Charter.
Sec. 3-0-1. - Appointment and qualifications.#
The town manager shall be appointed by a majority of the council for an indefinite term. He/she shall be chosen by the council solely on the basis of education and executive and administrative qualifications, with special reference to actual experience in, or knowledge of, accepted practice in respect to the duties of the office as hereinafter set forth. At the time of his/her appointment, he/she need not be a resident of the town or state, but during tenure of office shall be domiciled within the town. No councilmember shall receive such appointment during the term for which he/she shall have been elected and the year following.
Sec. 3-0-2. - Powers and duties of town manager.#
The town manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the town, responsible to the Council for the administration of all town affairs placed in the manager's charge by or under this Charter. The town manager shall: a.
Appoint and, when necessary for the good of the service, suspend or remove all town employees and appointive administrative officers provided for by or under this Charter, except as otherwise provided by law, this Charter or personnel rules adopted pursuant to this Charter. The town manager may authorize any department head subject to the manager's direction and supervision to exercise these powers with respect to subordinates in that person's department, office or agency; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to the town school system, town solicitor, municipal judge, judge of the court of probate, the members of the town council, the members of the school committee, the Superintendent of schools, or any person employed by the school department of the Town of Narragansett;
b.
Make appointments and promotions in the service of the town according to merit and fitness as prescribed by personnel ordinance or resolution;
c.
Direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the town, except as otherwise provided by this Charter or by law;
d.
Attend town council meetings. The town manager shall have the right to take part in discussion but shall not vote;
e.
See that all laws, provisions of this Charter and acts of the town council, subject to enforcement by the town manager or by employees subject to the manager's direction and supervision, are faithfully executed;
f.
Prepare and submit the annual budget and capital program to the town council;
g.
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;
h.
Make such other reports as the town council may require concerning the operations of town departments, offices and agencies subject to the town manager's direction and supervision;
i.
Keep the town council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the town;
j.
Make recommendations to the town council concerning the affairs of the town;
k.
Provide staff support services for the council; and
l.
Perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter or may be required by the town council.
The town manager may assume, with the approval of the council, in addition to the office of town manager, any other administrative office or offices or part or all of the duties of any such office under his/her supervision, but by reason thereof he/she shall not be entitled to any additional compensation.
Sec. 3-0-3. - Removal of town manager.#
The council may remove the town manager by a majority vote of all of its members at a publicly held meeting. Upon his/her removal, the council shall pay him/her forthwith any unpaid balance of his/her compensation.
Sec. 3-0-4. - Noninterference by council.#
Except as provided in section 3-0-2, neither the council or any of its members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or removal from, office by the manager or by any subordinates, or in any matter take part in the administrative service of the town. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the council and its members shall deal with the administrative service solely through the manager, and neither the council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinate of the manager, either publicly or privately.
Sec. 3-0-5. - Assignment of duties.#
The manager, with approval of the council, may assign the duties of two (2) or more positions to one (1) person or divide the duties of any position among two (2) or more persons.
Sec. 3-0-6. - Acting town manager.#
The manager shall designate by letter filed with the town clerk and with the approval of a majority of the council, a qualified administrative officer of the town to perform the duties of the manager during his/her temporary absence or disability not exceeding fifteen (15) calendar days, including vacation. During such absence 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 his/her disability shall cease. In the event of failure of the manager to make such designation or if the absence or disability extends beyond fifteen (15) calendar days, the council shall by resolution appoint an officer of the town as acting town manager to perform the duties of the manager until he/she shall return or his/her disability shall cease. Whenever the office of town manager becomes vacant either by death, resignation or removal or any other cause, the council may appoint an acting town manager. Said acting town manager shall be appointed by a majority of the council for a period not to exceed six (6) months. He/she shall have the same duties and powers as the town manager. The council acting as a body may perform the functions of acting town manager until such time as an acting or permanent town manager is appointed.