HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4355 FILED ON: 5/22/2009
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1123
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the Year Two Thousand Nine
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An Act establishing a town manager form of government for the Town of Hanover..
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. CONTINUATION OF EXISTING GOVERNMENT
CONTINUATION OF EXISTING LAWS, BY-LAWS, PERSONNEL, ETC.
All special acts, by-laws, rules and regulations which are in force on the effective date of this Act that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall continue in full force until amended or repealed and elected and appointed officers, boards, commissions, and committees shall have all of the powers, duties and responsibilities, which are in force on the effective date of this Act that are not inconsistent with this Act, which are given to the respective boards, officers and agencies by law, this Act, town by-law or by vote of town meeting.
If any provision of this Act conflicts with any provisions of any special act, by-law, rule or regulation of the town, the provisions of this Act shall govern.
CONTINUATION OF PERSONNEL
Any office or position in the administrative service of the town and incumbents in such offices, on the effective date of this Act shall continue to function as they did previously until a change in those offices, positions or incumbents is effected in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
SECTION 2. BOARD OF SELECTMEN
COMPOSITION
There shall be a board of selectmen consisting of five (5) members elected for terms of three years each, so arranged that the term of office of as nearly an equal number of members as is possible shall expire each year.
B. VACANCY IN OFFICE
Vacancies in the office of selectmen shall be filled by a special election in accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws.
C. EXECUTIVE POWERS
The executive powers of the town shall be vested in the board of selectmen which shall serve as the chief policy-making body of the town.
The board of selectmen shall have all of the executive powers it is possible for a board of selectmen to have and to exercise and shall be authorized to enter into intergovernmental and/or public/private agreements on such terms it deems beneficial to the citizens of Hanover.
The board of selectmen shall be responsible for the formulation and promulgation of policy directives and guidelines to be followed by all town agencies serving under it, and in conjunction with other elected town officers and multiple member bodies to develop and promulgate policy guidelines designed to bring the operation of all town agencies into harmony, provided however, nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any member of the board of selectmen, nor a majority of such members, to become involved in the day-to-day administration of any town agency. It is the intention of this provision that the board of selectmen shall act only through the adoption of broad policy guidelines, which are to be implemented by officers and employees serving under it.
The board of selectmen shall cause the by-laws, and rules and regulations for the government of the town to be enforced and shall cause an up-to-date record of all its official acts to be kept.
The board of selectmen shall appoint the town manager, town counsel, and approve the hire of the town audit firm.
The board of selectmen shall be the licensing board of the town and shall have the power to issue licenses, to make all necessary rules and regulations regarding the issuance of such licenses, and to attach such conditions and restrictions thereto as it deems to be in the public interest. The board of selectmen shall enforce the laws relating to all businesses for which it issues such licenses. The board of selectmen under this Act may delegate or reorganize any local licensing authority or process notwithstanding any general laws relating to local governance to the contrary.
The board of selectmen shall be responsible to provide for timely audits as required by law. The audits shall be made by a certified public accountant, or firm of such accountants, who have no personal interests, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs of the town government or any of its officers.
SECTION 3. TOWN MANAGER
APPOINTMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS, TERMS OF OFFICE AND EMPLOYMENT
APPOINTMENT
After the establishment of the five (5) member board of selectmen, there shall be established in the town of Hanover the office of town manager, who shall be appointed by the board of selectmen for a term not to exceed three (3) years, as the board may determine, and may be appointed for successive terms of office.
QUALIFICATIONS
The town manager shall be a person of demonstrated ability with administrative experience in public management or business administration and who is qualified by reason of education and experience.
TERMS OF OFFICE
The town manager shall devote full time to the duties of said office and shall not engage in any other business or occupation during the term of his or her employment by the town. The town manager shall hold no elective office in the town during his or her tenure as town manager, but the board of selectmen may appoint the town manager to any non-elective office or position consistent with the responsibilities of the town manager. Before entering upon his or her duties, the town manager shall be sworn to the faithful and impartial performance thereof by the town clerk. The town manager shall not have served in an elected office for the town of Hanover for at least twenty-four months prior to his or her appointment.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
The board of selectmen may from time to time establish additional qualifications for the office of town manager. To the extent permitted by law, the terms of the town manager's employment may be the subject of a written agreement between the parties setting forth the length of service, compensation, annual review, vacation, sick leave, benefits, and such other matters, excluding tenure, as are customarily included in an employment contract.
COMPENSATION
The board of selectmen shall set the compensation of the town manager, not to exceed the amount appropriated by the town meeting.
SECTION 4. TOWN MANAGER - POWERS AND DUTIES.
The town manager shall be the chief executive officer of the town. The town manager shall be responsible to the board of selectmen for the effective management of all town affairs placed in the town manager's charge by this Act, the board of selectmen, or vote of the town meeting. The town manager shall be responsible for the implementation of town policies established by the board of selectmen. The functions and duties of the town manager shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
POWERS OF APPOINTMENT
As provided for in this Act, appoint and remove all non-elected department heads, approve the appointment and removal of all other employees except employees of the school department. The town manager shall consult with the appropriate elected or appointed board, commission, committee, or official prior to making such department head appointments or removals. Appointments to such department head positions shall become effective on the twentieth day following the day notice of appointment or removal is filed with the board of selectmen, unless the board of selectmen shall within that twenty (20) day period, by at least a majority vote of the current elected members, vote to reject said appointment or removal, or sooner, by at least a majority vote of the current elected members, vote to affirm said appointment or removal.
Department heads shall, subject to the consent and approval, of the town manager, appoint or remove assistant department heads, officers, subordinates and employees, including employees serving under elected and appointed boards, commissions, committees and officials for whom no other method of selection is provided in this Act, except employees of the school department; provided however, that the department head shall consult with the appropriate elected or appointed board, commission, committee or official prior to making such appointments or removals. The town manager may transfer personnel between departments as needed.
All appointments shall be based on merit and fitness alone.
Copies of notices of job opportunities and/or appointments shall be posted on the town bulletin board.
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
Day-to-day supervision of all town departments and direction of the operations of the town. This section shall not apply to employees of the school department and to the statutory responsibilities and functions of the school committee.
Supervise, direct and be responsible for the efficient administration of all officers appointed by the town manager and their representative departments, and of all functions for which the town manager is given responsibility, authority or control by this Act, by by-law, by town meeting vote, or by vote or the board of selectmen.
Reorganize, consolidate or establish any department or position under the town manager's direction or supervision, at his or her discretion and with the board of selectmen's approval. With the approval of both the board of selectmen and advisory committee, the town manager may transfer all or part of any unexpended appropriation of a reorganized or consolidated department, board or office to any other town department, board or office.
Administer, either directly or through a person appointed by him, all provisions of general and special laws applicable to the town including Federal and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agencies’ requirements, and by-laws and votes of the town within the scope of his or her duty, and all policy rules and regulations made by the board of selectmen.
Establish control and data systems appropriate to monitoring expenditures by town boards and departments to enable the town manager to make periodic reports to the board of selectmen and the advisory committee on the status of the town's finances.
Develop and administer a personnel system, including, but not limited to, determination of rates of pay, the development and implementation of an ongoing training program, evaluation process, personnel and hiring policies, practices, and regulations for town employees.
Manage and be responsible for all town buildings, properties and facilities, except those under the control of the school committee, parks and recreation department and conservation commission. The town manager may maintain and repair school committee, parks and recreation department, open space committee and conservation commission buildings, properties and facilities if and to the extent the school committee, parks and recreation department, and conservation commission may request and authorize.
Attend and participate in all regular and special board of selectmen meetings and town meetings, unless excused therefrom by the board of selectmen.
Cause full and complete records of meetings of the board of selectmen to be taken and maintained, and compile reports of the meetings as requested by the board of selectmen.
Act as the liaison with and represent the board of selectmen before state, federal and regional authorities.
Subject to policy established by the board of selectmen, approve all warrants or vouchers, including payroll warrants, for payment of town funds submitted by the town accountant. Any warrants generated by the town manager shall be signed by the board of selectmen.
Approve all grants submitted on behalf of the town.
Perform any other duties consistent with his or her office as may be required by by-law or vote of the town or by vote of the board of selectmen.
FINANCIAL POWERS AND DUTIES
BUDGET
Prepare and submit at a public meeting to the board of selectmen and advisory committee not later than ninety (90) days prior to the annual town meeting a written proposed balanced budget for town government, including the school department, for the ensuing fiscal year.
The proposed budget shall detail all estimated revenues from all sources, and all expenditures, including debt service for the previous, current and ensuing years.
It shall include proposed expenditures for both current operations and capital during the ensuing year, together with estimated revenues and free cash available at the close of the fiscal year, including estimated balances in special accounts.
The town may, by bylaw, establish additional financial reports to be provided by the town manager.
To assist said town manager in preparing the proposed annual budget of revenues and expenditures, all boards, officers, and committees of the town, including the school committee shall, within the timeframe requested by the town manager, furnish all relevant information in their possession and submit to the town manager, in writing and in such form as the town manager shall establish, a detailed estimate of the appropriations required and available funds.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Negotiate collective bargaining contracts on behalf of the board of selectmen, which contracts shall be subject to approval, ratification and execution by the board. The board of selectmen may authorize use of additional counsel, as requested by the town manager to assist the town manager in the negotiations at its discretion.
Administer and enforce collective bargaining agreements, and personnel rules and regulations, and by-laws adopted by the town.
PROCUREMENT
Act as the chief procurement officer under the provisions of Chapter 30B of the General Laws, responsible for the purchasing of all supplies, materials, and equipment for the town, including the bidding and awarding of all contracts, except for the school department.
SECTION 5. TOWN MANAGER - VACANCY.
PERMANENT VACANCY
The board of selectmen shall fill any permanent vacancy in the office of the town manager as soon as feasible in accordance with Section 3 of this Act. Pending the appointment of a town manager or filling of a vacancy, the board of selectmen shall, within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed fourteen (14) days, appoint some other capable person to temporarily perform the duties of the town manager until a permanent replacement is appointed.
TEMPORARY ABSENCE OR DISABILITY
The town manager may designate by letter filed with the town clerk and board of selectmen a capable officer of the town to perform the duties of town manager during a temporary absence or disability.
If the absence or disability exceeds thirty (30) days, any designation by the town manager shall be subject to approval by the board of selectmen. If the town manager fails to make such a designation, or if the person so designated is unable to serve, the board of selectmen may designate some other capable person to perform the duties of town manager.
Powers and Duties - The powers and duties of the acting town manager, under (a) and (b) above, shall be limited to matters not permitting of delay and shall include authority to make temporary, emergency appointments or designations to town office or employment, but not to make permanent appointments or designations unless authorized by the board of selectmen.
SECTION 6. TOWN MANAGER – REMOVAL; SUSPENSION.
The board of selectmen may terminate and remove or suspend the town manager by the majority vote of the entire board of selectmen. Prior to any such termination, removal, or suspension exceeding five (5) days, notice shall be given and reasons for the proposed action shall be provided in writing to the town manager, and an opportunity shall be provided for the town manager to meet with the board of selectmen and respond to those reasons. After such meeting, if any, the board of selectmen may act by majority vote of the entire board of selectmen to terminate, remove or suspend the town manager.
SECTION 7. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
A.There shall remain an elected board of public works, hereinafter called the board, consisting of three (3) members serving three year staggered terms.
B.The superintendent of public works and town manager shall consult with the board of public works for the purpose of receiving advice and assistance in the development of policy guidelines for the operation of the department of public works, and the board of public works shall perform such other advisory functions related to the department of public works as the town manager or superintendent may request.
C.The authority of the special act, Chapter 39 of the Acts of 1930 creating the water commissioners is hereby assumed by the town manager, except that changes in water rates must be approved by the board of selectmen. The vote of the town at the 1972 town election adopting the provisions of sections 69C to 69F, inclusive of chapter 41 of the General Laws is hereby rescinded.
SECTION 8. TRANSITION PROVISIONS.
A. ADDITION TO BOARD OF SELECTMEN
At an annual election following the effective date of this Act, two (2) additional selectmen shall be elected one (1) to a term expiring at the town election in the third year following the election at which this Act was approved and one (1) to a term expiring at the town election in the second year following the election at which this Act was approved. Thereafter, as the terms of selectmen expire, successor shall be elected for terms of three (3) years.
B. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
The position of town administrator shall be abolished upon the assumption of office by the town manager. Should the position become vacant prior to the town manager assuming the duties of the office, the board of selectmen may appoint an acting town administrator to serve until the assumption of the duties of office by the town manager.
SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect upon its passage.