Session Laws

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. There shall be a town administrator in the town of Norfolk who shall be the chief administrative officer of the town and who shall be especially qualified by education and experience for said position. The town administrator shall be appointed by the board of selectmen for a three year term and shall be subject to dismissal by the board of selectmen for just cause.

SECTION 2. The town administrator shall be responsible for the daily management of the town. He shall act as the agent for the board of selectmen for the administration of all town affairs placed in his charge by, or pursuant to this act, town by-law or charter.

SECTION 3. The town administrator, under the policy direction of the board of selectmen, shall supervise, direct and be responsible for the efficient administration of all officers appointed by him and their respective departments and for all functions for which he is given responsibility and authority by this act, town meeting or vote of the board of selectmen.

SECTION 4. The town administrator shall have the power to delegate, authorize or direct subordinates or employees of said town of Norfolk to exercise any power, duty or responsibility which the office of town administrator is authorized to exercise under this act. All actions performed under such delegation shall be deemed to be the actions of said town administrator.

SECTION 5. Subject to ratification by a majority vote of the board of selectmen, the town administrator shall appoint the police chief, fire chief, highway superintendent, director of the finance department, building commissioner, director of the emergency management office and animal control officer. Said positions shall be subject to dismissal by the board of selectmen for just cause. Subject to the confirmation of the board of selectmen, the town administrator shall appoint employees of boards, commissions, councils or committees appointed by the board of selectmen.

SECTION 6. In consultation with the department heads, the town administrator shall appoint all employees of such departments, except clerical and maintenance employees who shall be appointed by said department heads.

SECTION 7. This act shall be submitted for acceptance to the voters of the town of Norfolk at the next annual town election or special town election, whichever occurs first, in the form of the following question which shall be placed on the official ballot at such election:- "Shall an act passed by the general court in the year nineteen hundred and ninety-four, entitled 'An Act establishing the position of town administrator in the town of Norfolk', be accepted " If a majority of the votes cast in answer to said question is in the affirmative, this act shall take effect, but not otherwise.

SECTION 8. This act shall take effect upon its passage.