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POWERS AND DUTIES
The following excerpts from the Town Manager Act describe the essential Powers and Duties of the Town Manager:
SECTION 15. Powers and Duties of Manager. In addition to the specific powers and duties provided in this act the Town Manager shall have the general powers and duties enumerated in this section:
(a) The Town Manager shall supervise and direct the administration of all departments, commissions, boards and offices, except the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, Moderator, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer and Collector, Comptroller and Coordinator of Data Processing, Assessors, Registrars of Voters, Election Officers, Boards of Appeal, the Finance Committee, the Capital Budget Committee and the Personnel Review and Appeals Board.
(b) The Town Manager, in accordance with the provisions of this act and except as otherwise expressly prohibited by the General Laws, may reorganize, consolidate or abolish departments, commissions, boards or offices under his direction and supervision, in whole or in part, may establish such new departments, commissions, boards and offices as he deems necessary and make appointments to such boards, subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen. He may in connection with such transfer of such powers or duties transfer the duties and powers of one department, commission, board or office to another and may, with the approval and consent of the finance committee, transfer the appropriation of such one department, commission, board or office to another. The Town Manager may temporarily establish such
new positions, as he deems necessary and appoint temporary employees thereto. Such positions shall be placed under the Classification and Pay Plans at the next succeeding special or annual town meeting.
(c) Subject to the provisions of chapter thirty-one of the General Laws where applicable, and except as otherwise provided by this act, the Town Manager shall appoint upon merit and fitness alone, and may transfer and remove all officers and employees of the town, including maintenance employees of the school department and school custodians, but excluding other employees of the school department. Town officers and full-time employees not subject to said chapter thirty-one shall not be removed by him except on ten working days’ notice in writing to said officer or employee, setting forth the cause of such removal.
(d) Subject to all applicable provisions of chapter thirty-one of the General Laws, and subject to the classification plan as established now or hereafter by the town by-laws, the Town Manager shall fix the compensation of all town officers and employees subject to removal by him.
(e) The Town Manager shall keep full and complete records of his office, and shall render as often as may be required by the selectman a full report of his management during the period reported on.
(f) The Town Manager shall keep the selectmen fully advised as to the needs of the town and shall recommend to the selectmen for adoption such measures requiring action by them or by the town as he may deem necessary or expedient.
(g) The Town Manager shall have jurisdiction over the rental and use of all town property, except schools. He shall be responsible for the maintenance and repair of all town property including school buildings. Except as otherwise voted by the town, the school committee shall be responsible for the study, consideration and recommendations as to construction, reconstruction, alterations, improvements and other undertakings pertaining to school buildings or property. Except as otherwise voted by the town, the Town Manager shall be responsible for the preparation of plans and the supervision of work relating thereto, authorized by the town. Except as otherwise voted by the town, the Town Manager shall be responsible for the preparation of plans and the supervision of work on all other
construction, reconstruction, alterations, improvements and other undertakings authorized by the town.
(h) The Town Manager shall purchase all supplies and materials and equipment, except educational supplies, and books for schools, and books for libraries. He shall make purchases for departments not under his supervision only in accordance with requisitions duly signed by the heads of such departments. The Town Manager may delegate such purchasing power. Except as otherwise herein provided, he shall award all contracts for all departments of the town.
(i) The Town Manager shall, with the approval of the selectmen, have authority to prosecute, defend and compromise all litigation, except that which pertains to tax assessments and abatements, to which the town is a party, and to employ special counsel to assist the town counsel whenever in his judgment it may be necessary.
(j) The Town Manager shall perform such other duties, consistent with his office, as may be required of him by the by-laws or vote of the town or by vote of the selectmen.
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