§ 9.1. Town administrator.

(a) The town administrator is responsible for the day-to-day management of the town. The board of selectmen by a majority vote of its entire membership shall appoint a town administrator within six months of a vacancy, or as soon thereafter as may be practical and consistent with good governance of the town. The board of selectmen shall assign a person or persons to act during any vacancy. Such appointment shall be without definite term and must be at a salary to be fixed from time to time by the board of selectmen. The board of selectmen may enter into an employment contract with the town administrator. At the time of appointment, the administrator need not be a resident of the town or state, but during the administrator's tenure in office, the administrator shall reside within the town, except at the discretion of the board of selectmen.

(b)

The board of selectmen at a regular or special meeting may upon the vote of a majority of the entire membership of the board of selectmen, remove the town administrator from office in accordance with the terms established by the administrator's employment contract.

(c)

The town administrator is responsible to the board of selectmen for the proper administration of all affairs of the town, and has the power and duties and is required to:

(1)

Be responsible for the enforcement of the laws and ordinances of the town;

(2)

In consultation with the board of selectmen, hire staff, establish pay and benefits for town employees, and, in accordance with approved personnel policies, suspend, regularly review, transfer and remove town employees; except that as it pertains to the town clerk and town treasurer appointed in accordance with section 5.28, the administrator shall make a recommendation to the board of selectmen regarding hiring, suspension, or termination;

(3)

Cause a proposed budget to be prepared annually and submit the budget to the board of selectmen and be responsible for the administration of the budget after adoption;

(4)

Keep the board of selectmen advised of the financial condition and future needs of the town and make recommendations to the board of selectmen for adoption by the board of selectmen.

(5)

Exercise supervision and control over all executive and administrative departments;

(6)

Perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this charter, ordinance, other applicable law, or that are required of the town administrator by the board of selectmen.